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Home , About That Life, Adrian Borland, A Wilhelm Scream, Celebrated Summer, Chad Price, Chinga (The X-Files)

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Slow Culture That can’t be right. The math doesn’t make sense. I counted it Terra incognita. Although it’s gnarly and unforgiving, punk in L.A. on my fingers twice and double checked with Daryl. Razorcake has never died since it landed in ‘77. It’s thriving now. been around for fourteen years. We started in January 2001. Before Cultural time now is also massive and webbed. It’s constantly Razorcake, I worked at Flipside from 1996 to of 2000. Flipside speeding up. In the mid-‘90s, a manufactured trend like third-wave started in the summer of 1977. It lasted twenty-three years. At the time ska took a year to run its course. Cultural time is now measured in of its demise, it was the longest-running in America. Here’s microseconds instead of years. It’s everything, then nothing. There’s what makes less sense to me: Imagine if Razorcake started in 1977. just so much—all history up to this second (contrary to popular belief, Fast forward fourteen years and it’d now be 1991. The ‘80s are over. not everything’s on the internet), is somewhat more available. But When we talk about the most venerated punk scenes, the timelines there’s also corrupted code, pixel fatigue, endless distraction, and are often so short. L.A.’s first wave in lasted eight months dropping phones into toilets. Blink and get overwhelmed by an to a year. Thirty-seven years , we’re still listening to that glorious avalanche of information sheering off a cliff. shrapnel. I know I’m painting with an imperfect brush when I say this, Punks have more power at their fingertips than ever before, and but a lot of punk “anarchy” was and is shorthand for nihilism. Drugs yet… there’s this cumulative cost. Where’d the time go? It’s hard for and fucking and violence. That fun snake eats its own tail quickly and me not to fantasize of Razorcake in a pioneering time, but that’s a shits out addiction, death, and prison. It’s the nature of the beast. cop out. “What about us, now?,” I often ask myself. I believe that our But then the unthinkable happened. Many punks didn’t die and best years are still ahead. It’s the difference between that stockmarket- got too old to die young. Many didn’t sell out. They bought in with ish rise and fall of “punk product” and real underground cultures— decades of time and long-view creativity. Resilient bastards. I like to ones that, now more than ever, by their intentional makeup—aren’t think I’m now one of them. manufactured for quick sale. In that respect, Razorcake is a punk time Yet, as someone who has been in the middle of a vortex for almost machine. We’re time by nature. Part of us lives in the past. a decade and a half—the distinct cultural DIY punk feel spanning Part of us lives in the future. We’ve slowed down time for us because from 2000 to 2015 will never receive the same praise as 1977 or we’ve got to deal with today. 1982 or 1984 or 1996. Pioneers can only discover uncharted lands So what’s the bigger point? If you don’t believe in yourself, no once. That’s the definition of a pioneer. It’s their flag to fly. Cultures one else will. Forces larger than you will do their best to control you. celebrate “firsts.” But that doesn’t mean the pioneers had everything It’s a timeless theme, much older than punk. I don’t know about you, figured out after they staked new ground. but I still don’t want that big culture gun in my mouth—no matter The irony doesn’t escape me. I like , partially because what time it is, no matter what year it is. it’s so fucked and rarely anything worth doing here is easy. L.A. is also fractured. It’s like a map made out of a shattered pane of glass. –Todd Taylor Cover design by Erica Freas, Razorcake Rumbletowne Records THANK YOU: Hello photocopier, you rascal and old friend thanks to PO Box 42129, LA, CA 90042 (rumbletowne.com) - based on photos Erica Freas for the fantastic cover; Richie Rich was a dick. Haven’t razorcake.org by Craig Flipy and Lauren Denitzio thought of him in a long time thanks to Brad Beshaw for his illo. in gorskypress.com Sean’s column; It’s unanimous. Mermaids, whales, seals, walruses, facebook.com/razorcake and polar bears all agree that Jim’s new book Forest of Fortune is better .com/razorcakegorsky “Not everyone than blubber and buried treasure! thanks to Bill Pinkel for his illo.; youtube.com/RazorcakeGorsky Heads up! thanks to Steve Thueson for his illo. in Cassie’s column; No. razorcake.tumblr.com benefi ts from Seriously. Fuck. U2. Thanks to Alex Barrett for Nørb’s illo.; Imagine a razorcake-records.bandcamp.com world where Reagan was only remembered for his chimp shenanigans, gorskypress.bandcamp.com a misspent not destroying the air traffi c controller union thanks to Jackie Rusted instagram.com/razorcakegorsky for her illo. in Dale’s column; “Dude, I’ve got to it and you’re ADVERTISING / CONTRIBUTOR DEADLINE youth.” ruckusing? I’m gummi-scarring your other cheek!” thanks to Kasia –Thomas Pynchon, Bleeding Edge ISSUE #84 Oniszczuk for her photo in the Chicken’s column; Nardwuar baits Katie st Dec. 1 , 2014 Razorcake/ Gorsky, Inc. Board of Directors: into saying a fi sh name that sounds like a swear word thanks to Steve Visit razorcake.org/advertising Todd Taylor, Sean Carswell, Daryl Gussin, Larder for his Waxahatchee illo.; Kettnerd—unquestionably dynamic Ad rates start at $40. Dan Clarke, Katy Spining, Leo Emil Tober III, thanks for your guest comic; We are more than our names. Ignorance and Catherine Casada Hornberger. This issue is dedicated to Felix Lynn Terry deserves a swift kick in the kneecaps thanks to Rishbha Bhagi, Simon Sotelo, Becky Bennett, and all of the participants for “So… What Are You?”; We radiate thanks to Lauren Denitzio and Craig Flipy for the Black Rainbow interview and photos; Unsold boxes of records you put out? That’s called “punk furniture” thanks to Paul J. Comeau, Jake Dr. Henry Cunningham, Dechichio, J. Flynn, and Angela Owens for the Pickles Tor Johnson interview and photos. Deep doop. Robots are good for some things, but we need physical Classy as fuck product so we can get our grubby human hands on them. Binary sky music does not compute… Thanks to #83’s rotation of music, Photo by Russ Lichter zines, books, and video reviewers: Craven Rock, Ryan Leach, Rich Cocksedge, Sal Lucci, Keith Rosson, Indian Laub, Chris Terry, Alanna Why, Ryan Nichols, Garrett Barnwell, Kurt Morris, Sean Koepenick, Lord Kveldulfr, Michael T. Fournier, MP Johnson, Jackie Rusted, Dave Williams, Matt Werts, Matt Seward, Jimmy Alvarado, Mike Frame, Ashley Ravelo, Camylle Reynolds, Juan Espinosa, Matt Average, Sean Winston Arenas, Ty Stranglehold, John Mule, Chad Williams, Kayla Greet, Art Ettinger, Billups Allen, Paul J. Comeau, Bryan Static, Tim Brooks, Chillin' with Nørb, Genevieve Armstrong, Vincent, Rene Navarro, Andy Higgins, Jim Woster, and Matthew Hart. Radioactivity If you’re a woman who is knowledgeable about DIY punk, are good Photo by with deadlines, and are open to the editorial process, this is an open Danielle Kordani invitation to drop us a line about doing reviews, interviews, articles, or a webcolumn for Razorcake. (razorcake.org/contact-us)

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Issue #83 Dec. 2014 / Jan. 2015 PO Box 42129 Los Angeles, CA 90042 razorcake.org WE DO OUR PART COLUMNS 36 6 Sean Carswell A Monkey to Ride the Dog 8 Jim Ruland Lazy Mick 10 Ben Snakepit Snakepit 11 Shanty Cheryl Photo Page 13 Liz Prince I Don't Want to Grow Up 14 Cassie J. Sneider Here Comes Success! 16 Rev. Nørb American Grilled Cheese Review 18 Designated Dale I’m Against It 20 Rhythm Chicken Dinghole Reports 4850 23 Art Fuentes Chico Simio 25 Kiyoshi Nakazawa Won Ton 26 Nardwuar The Human Serviette Who Are You? 56 28 Adrian Chi Bite the Cactus 29 Dan Monick Photo Page 31 Rachel Murray Framingheddu Photo Page 33 Kettnerd No Babies FEATURES 54 34 Aztlan Underground by Jimmy Alvarado 56 and Todd Taylor 34 56 50 So... What Are You? by Rishbha Bhagi 56 Black Rainbow by Lauren Denitzio 68 Tor Johnson Records by Paul J. Comeau 68 FAVORITES // REVIEWS 76 Top 5s It’s Fall and I want to... D.I.Y. everything! 78 Record Weirdo lyrics ("I know I’m ugly and I smell like Spam”)... 108 Zine I don’t care too much about beer (except drinking it)... 108 Book Is it blood? Is it pus? That’s up to you!...

The following folks stepped forward to help us do our part over the past two months. Without their help, Razorcake wouldn’t be what it is: 66 Todd Taylor, Daryl Gussin, Sean Carswell, Skinny Dan, Katy Spining, Candice Tobin, Kari Hamanaka, Moving? Have a subscription to Razorcake? Please do us both a favor and contact us before you move. Bulk Matthew Hart, Donna Ramone, Phill Legault, Chris Baxter, Mary Clare Stevens, James Hernandez, Alice Bag, Marty Ploy, mail doesn't forward and we won't resend the issue. Rene Navarro, Billy Kostka III, Derek “Party Down South” Whipple, Jason Willis, Janeth Galaviz, Rishbha Bhagi, Adrian Chi, Want to distribute Razorcake? Megan Pants, Alex Martinez, Jimmy Alvarado, Andrew Wagher, Matt Average, Ever Velasquez, Joe Dana, Christina Zamora, Visit razorcake.org/wholesale Juan Espinosa, Meztli Hernandez, Sean Arenas, Aaron Kovacs, Nicole Macias, Yvonne Drazan, Julia Smut, Jenn Witte, Domestic prices start at $8.00 Dave Eck, Chris Pepus, Tim Burkert, Jeff Proctor, Josh Rosa, Toby Tober, Sal Lucci, Johnny Volume, Jennifer Federico, Individual opinions expressed within are not Jennifer Whiteford, Kayla Greet, Lory Gil, Nighthawk, Marcos Siref, Steve Thueson, Evan Wolff, Cassie J. Sneider, necessarily those of Razorcake/Gorsky Press, Inc. Vadim Dozmorov, Ronnie Sullivan, Bill Pinkel, Kurt Morris, Laura Collins, Nation of Amanda, Eric Baskauskas, Vee Liu, This issue of Razorcake Bianca Barragan, Russ Van Cleave, Samantha Mc Bride, Christine Arguello, Simon Sotelo, Susan Chung, Robert El Diablo, is made possible in part Bryan Static, Mitch Clem, John Miskelly, Jamie L. Rotante, Genesis Bautista, Andy Garcia, Andy Higgins, Camylle Reynolds, Becky Bennett, Adam Perry, Craven Rock, Replay Dave, Adam Ali, Alxis Ratkevich, Matt Sweeting, Chris Devlin, by grants from the City of Kimura the dog, Codey Richards, Ty Sonnichsen, Ryan Nichols, Kiyoshi Nakazawa, Ollie Miske, Aimee Pijpers, Liz Mayorga, Los Angeles, Department Brad Dwyer, Brooke Mccarley, Javier Cabral, David Crimaldi, and Louis Jacinto. of Cultural Affairs and is supported by the Los Razorcake is bi-monthly. Yearly subscriptions (six issues) are $17.00 bulk rate or $23.00 first class mail. Plus you get some free Angeles County Board of gooch. These prices are only valid for people who live in the U.S. and are not in prison. Issues and subs are more for everyone else (because we have to pay more in postage). Visit razorcake.org for a price. Prisoners may receive free single issues of Supervisors through the Los Razorcake via Prison Lit. Project, c/o Bound Together Books, 1369 Haight St., SF, CA 94117. Angeles Arts Commission. LAZY MICK “Some things are AI’M MONKEYMONKEY AGAINSTTO RIDE THEIT DOG so obvious that SEAN CARSWELL we miss them completely.” No Candy

The record Reject All to look down on mall-ified masses burning you’re about to take. Sometimes, it can be American has slipped back into high- up their daddies’ credit cards at the Sherman the coolest part of the ride. rotation. I’m amazed at how it’s withstood Oaks Galleria. It’s another to judge that same the test of time. accent when the person with it is speaking I used to teach a big lecture class with Some old I listen to for sentimental intelligently and passionately. upwards of a hundred students in it. One day, reasons, some I listen to because the music And this made me think of Kathleen I made a reference to . Not Tstill fits into my life right now. This record Hanna: a force of for more than one of the eighty-or-so kids there seemed still sounds fresh and relevant to me nineteen two decades who became the face of a to understand what I was talking about. I years after it was recorded. It blends in with revolutionary movement while speaking and made an offer to the class: anyone who can some new stuff also in high rotation: Big singing about that revolution with a thick, tell me who Kathleen Hanna is gets an A for Eyes’ Almost Famous, the Sugar Stems, the silly, valley girl accent. I felt like I had no the semester. This was before smart phones Pink Mink self-titled record that’s been my choice but to dig out Reject All American and were ubiquitous. Some kids tried to get their favorite record of the year so far. But the new listen to it like it was new all over again. laptops out and look her up real quick. No stuff isn’t what led me to digging up Reject one got the A. I said, “Come on. At least you All American. It came out of the stacks again The first Bikini Kill record starts guys know Bikini Kill.” They responded to because of a weird mental association. with Kathleen Hanna screaming, “We’re me with silence. Crickets in the lecture hall. I was walking up a hill near my home Bikini Kill and we want revolution grrrl The only other sound was all the air being let in downtown Ventura. I could hear a young style now!” That first song is a loud and out of me. woman talking behind me. I couldn’t make angry song calling for women to assert out what she was saying, but I could hear a themselves, to take their freedom and rights. Eighteen years after the release of Reject lilt in her voice at the end of every sentence. It’s bold. It’s badass. One of my favorite All American, twenty years after hit It’s that old valley girl style of speaking? parts about it is that, technically, it doesn’t its peak, this record is steering my thinking The one where every statement sounds like a start with that declaration of revolution. It about gender again. Recently, there’s been a question? And as she got closer, the one word starts with feedback and Kathleen Hanna lot of talk in the news and on campus about I could hear more than any other was “like.” saying, “Sorry.” sexual assault. The Violence Against Women Not the like that suggests a metaphoric or Before the revolution, there’s an apology. Act has us talking about how to prevent it. comparative relationship, but just, like, the Something deep is happening there. I’m Something about this discussion is driving linguistic tick that, like, allows for a pause in not sure what. me crazy. speaking, like, as a substitute for “uh.” Reject All American, which is the last My campus is giving handouts to For some reason that probably had Bikini Kill record, begins with Kathleen students about how to help prevent sexual nothing to do with this young woman, I Hanna screaming, “I don’t I don’t really assault. They’re emailing students links to got grumpy. A mean little man inside of me care” three times. Then, in perfect valley with similar advice. A lot of it has wanted to turn and scream at her, “Speak speak, “Like it’s not important at all.” to do with the behavior of women. Young with some confidence, goddamn it.” The whole is a different kind of women are advised to travel in packs, to I turned back to look. The young woman revolution. It’s more personal. The lyrics are ride home with the people whom they left was riding her bike up the hill with a guy and abstract and give a listener more freedom home with, to not accept open drinks and to a dog in tow. It was a warm afternoon. She to situate himself or herself inside them. keep their drinks in their hands at all times wore a dot thrift store dress and shorts And this album deals with the apology for during a party, to meet dates in public places underneath. Her wavy brown hair fluttered feedback by making better music. It’s still and go home alone, and so on. I don’t doubt out from underneath her bike helmet. The fast and noisy. There’s still plenty of anger, that these are safer behaviors to engage in. thick black frames of her glasses made her but it’s more of a whole band effort and My problem with this advice is that the onus look geeky in a non-ironic way. It was at that less of a Kathleen Hanna show. The rhythm of responsibility is once again falling on the point, I could make out her words. She was section is tight. The drums make me want shoulders of women. There’s very little talk talking about, like, diffraction imaging? Like to dance. Bill Karren’s is so clean about what men should be doing. how they use photons to, like, map the shapes that sometimes it’s all I listen to. It reminds me of a Mickey Hess short of nanostructures? sings mid-tempo songs in the middle of both story where he describes bathroom graffiti he My mood spun around 180 degrees. This sides of the record. I don’t know that I’d like encounters. Once person has written, “Only cracked me up. Here I was, looking down on those songs on their own, but their placement men can stop rape.” Another guy wrote her valley speak, and there she was, talking in the album as a whole works as a respite, below that, “Yeah. Let’s kick some ass.” The about something that flew over my head. Who a time to gather your energy and thoughts. first person came back and clarified, “No. I the hell uses diffraction imaging? Nuclear They’re like that part of a roller coaster ride meant we just don’t rape people.” physicists? Biochemists? And if a woman when you’re almost at the top of the hill and Some things are so obvious that we miss has gained enough advanced knowledge you’re barely moving at all and you can see them completely. to speak casually about these topics on the whole theme park. The height itself is a a leisurely afternoon bike ride with her little scary. The threat of something slipping I don’t know how to prevent sexual boyfriend and her dog, I have to reevaluate and the car falling backwards is way more assault in our society. I don’t know if handouts my feelings about valley speak. It’s one thing intimidating than that easy glide downhill or videos or this column does anything for BRAD BESHAW I made an offer to the class: anyone who can tell me who Kathleen Hanna is gets an A. anyone. I doubt it does. I do know that, She’s not my dime store novel, so I can’t act this. Child Protective Services hasn’t swung when I leave these faculty meetings about like she’s a femme fatale and blame her for by his Upper West Side apartment and taken sexual assault, I’m always singing “Jet Ski” my downfall or my shortcomings. She’s not his kids away from him. He just got away in my head. It’s the third song on the first my prison cell. Relationships are not a trap. with it and somehow she’s the asshole in the side of Reject All American. It starts out We’re not locked in. If we’re not both putting situation. When Ben Roethlisberger raped with Kathleen singing, “Ain’t got no more/ something into the relationship and getting a girl in a bathroom in Georgia, the police no more candy for you.” Then she lists the something out of it, we can leave. and NFL rallied to protect him against things that she’s not. She’s not your rocket If I can’t accept all of this, then she’s got overwhelming evidence. He got away with ship or motor boat or movie set or cartoon no candy for me. it. So the message is clear. Rich white men show. If the “you” she’s singing to is me, I get away with rape. That’s the way it is. So take this to mean that she’s not going to fly We see so much of our culture through let’s teach women to protect themselves. me to another planet or take me across the the eyes of rich white heterosexual men that I say we change our perspective. We stop water to another side; she’s not the fiction their perspective comes to feel natural. It’s viewing our cultural issues through the lens culturally projected onto women through not natural. It’s just so pervasive that it feels of these rich white guys. We reject this All- movie sets or cartoon shows. natural. So when we start a discussion about American idea that people—and particularly She’s not a lot of things in the song. She’s sexual assault, we start it from the rich women—are possessions or commodities, not a blood bank or a visa card or a footnote white heterosexual man’s perspective: the and those who have higher socioeconomic or my latest cause. In other words, she’s not one where men can’t help themselves and standings are entitled to our bodies. We let letting me project anything on her. She’s not shouldn’t be held accountable, so women a little more “Jet Ski” in our lives and get letting me turn her into a commodity. She’s need to protect themselves. And cultural to know people for who they are instead of not letting me use her body or her image in examples validate this. When Woody Allen’s what they’re not. any way. daughter accused him of molesting her, and The final three are the strongest. She’s not the first response was to question her and –Sean Carswell my oil well, so I can’t exploit her as a natural attack her character. As far as I know, no resource and pump her until she’s depleted. one has investigated Woody Allen about 07 “My tolerance I’MLAZYLAZY AGAINST MICKMICK MICK IT for risk is higher JIM RULAND than most.” Have Book, Will Travel How to Juggle a Job and a Book Tour This summer two remarkable things underwear. I dragged it all to the main library movie out of a story that is told entirely in happened: my first novel was published and and worked all day in a room full of men question-and-answer format, but I said yes. I quit my job. who, like me, had no place to go. And we’ve been in touch ever since. When I liked my job. The money was good That evening I met up with my friend Forest of Fortune came out he offered to put and the people I worked with are great. I Joshua Mohr who invited me to visit with a reading together for me at a coffee shop and Tdidn’t want to quit, but I’d been commuting the Noir writing class he was teaching at the I accepted. between Los Angeles and for over University of . We talked about Anchorage is located on the Cook Inlet, two years and I was tired. all the things that make a mystery mysterious which is named after Captain Cook, the same I was tired of driving to L.A. at four AM and afterwards Joshua drove me to Pacifica, Captain Cook who explored Hawaii and every Monday morning and spending four which is about twenty miles south of the city, the Southern Pacific. It has a population of or five hours on the freeway every Friday where I stayed with my friends Aisha and 300,000 but is spread out over an area four afternoon driving back. I was tired of living out Jason for three days. times the size of Los Angeles. of my car, crashing on futons, sleeping alone. I Pacifica is a sleepy seaside town on— Anchorage has a small but vibrant was tired of not seeing my wife every day. you guessed it—the Pacific Ocean whose filmmaking community that is nourished by I asked my bosses if I could work from emblem features a mermaid. I’d spend my all the reality TV programming in Alaska. home. They said no. So I waited until a mornings working and then I’d take a long Every network, it seems, has a show set in month before my book came out and gave walk along the beach up to Mori Point where Alaska from to Slednecks; my notice. It was a pretty great feeling, but I even saw a whale one day. It was a great we are in what could be called The Golden it didn’t last. place to work and I wrote a short story and a Age of Alaska Reality TV Programming. After a couple days passed, they changed nature poem there. When the network’s shows aren’t their mind. They said no. You can’t quit. You On Thursday it was back to the city where shooting, the film community helps each other can work from home. I had my one and only bookstore reading out with their projects. And while in town, I This was great news, except I’d already of the tour at Booksmith on Haight Street. got to meet a lot of the people involved with planned my book tour: two weeks on the Joshua served as the host and I reconnected the Kessler project. Tom took me to places West Coast and two weeks back east. Flights with friends from New York, Los Angeles, and that had served as locations for the Kessler booked, readings arranged. I was committed. Shanghai, plus a surprising number of people movie and showed me some of the footage. I was only going to be home for two out of from San Diego. A very friendly crowd. It was so strange to meet all these people who the next six weeks. The rest of the time I’d be The next day I visited Green Apple were intimate with a story I’d written well sharing my book with the world. Books where I got a call from my agent and over a decade ago. But I didn’t tell them that. I said no received very good news about my next book The reading was held at Café del Mundo problemo and hit the road, certain that I that I look forward to sharing with you in the where the manager and staff treated me like could work from home and go on tour at the next issue. a rock star. I sold a ton of books, including same time. What I learned: all of the copies of Big Lonesome that I’d In retrospect it was a foolish/ballsy thing to • The fog in San Francisco has a name. brought with me. Then, after the reading, I do, but my tolerance for risk is higher than most. Its name is Karl. got to shoot a cameo for the Kessler project. My novel is set in an Indian casino and • When you’re dressed in a hoodie I spent my mornings and most afternoons features three lost souls who gamble with and carrying all of your belongings, you working in Tom’s apartment and then we’d their lives. It cozies up to the supernatural blend in really easily with the unsheltered go exploring. and collides with crime. I like to call it my population. What I learned: autobiographical ghost story. It’s called • Whale sightings are conducive to • Half the people who live in Alaska live Forest of Fortune, and the one thing they say nature poems. in Anchorage. about fortune is it favors the bold. • Restaurants refer to a half-size portion So off I went. This is what I saw and Anchorage, Alaska: as “-sized.” what I learned. five days, one reading • Anchorage’s population may be I used airline miles to take a night flight small, but its used bookstore, Title Wave, San Francisco Bay Area: to Anchorage. Anchorage? Seriously? I is enormous. five days, two events can explain. I started my first day of working from A while back I got an email from a , Washington: “home” by taking a flight from San Diego to filmmaker in Alaska. His name was Tom one day, one reading San Francisco. I hopped on the BART, fired Trainor. He had found my short story I took a night flight to Seattle and arrived up my laptop, and checked in at work. So far collection, Big Lonesome, in a used book early in the morning. I took the train into the so good. store in Alaska and was interested in making city and was able to check right into my hotel The key to touring is to pack light. For my a short film based on one of my stories, at 7 AM. (Thank you.) I spent the day napping trip I had a rolling suitcase full of books, one “Kessler Has No Lucky Pants.” and working and then that night I went to pair of shoes, one pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, I had no idea how my book made it up Mia Lipman’s reading series Lit Fix at the and a backpack full of T-shirts, socks, and to Alaska or how he was going to make a Jewel Box Theater inside the Rendezvous BILL PINKEL When you’re dressed in a hoodie and carrying all of your belongings, you blend in really easily with the unsheltered population. in Bellevue and read with Susan Rich, Kelli scheduled for 2 PM but I had a conference The reading took place on Saturday night Russell Agodon, and Jenny Hayes with call at 1:30. I was going to find a quiet at Glyph Arts & Café. I read with Gayle and music by John Frun. Mia’s series is only in at the train station, jump on the call, and Trevor Dodge. Afterwards I hung out with its second year but its mix of music, poetry, then board the train. At around 1:15 an Cameron Pierce, J David Osborn, Kevin and prose has already become a fixture in alarm started to sound in the King Street Maloney, and Keith Rosson who all came Seattle’s literary scene. Station. out to support. After the reading I went with Razorcake It was only a malfunction, but they still What I learned: contributor Craven Rock and Matthew had to evacuate everyone from the station. • Traveling by train is the sanest way to Simmons next door to Shorty’s to discuss the I started to panic. I’d made it almost two travel, and the route from Seattle to Portland unspeakable horrors of the literary life. We weeks and now, on Friday afternoon, the jig is gorgeous. did not play pinball. was up. My employers were going to find out • Amtrak has been serving the same What I learned: that I was 1,200 miles from home. brand of microwave hamburgers for at least • Craven, whose last book was about Instead of making us wait outside the eight years. , wants to write a book about station, they let us board the train early. I was I sold all but five of the books I’d brought, Creedence Clearwater . able to log on to my conference call in a quiet signed a good deal more. I also bought a lot of • Seattle’s pinball community has its own part of the car and keep my phone on books—that’s why they call it a book tour. zine called Skillshot. for most of the call. Success! Writing a book is a solitary act. • Top Pot Donuts is still one of the best Jessica Standifird met me at the station Publishing is collaborative. But it takes places in the country for an apple fritter. and we picked up her husband Jonathan and not just one, but several communities that went back to their place in southeast Portland, intersect with art, literature, film, and music Portland, : two days, one reading which also serves as headquarters for Blue to share it with the world. On my way to the last stop of the tour, I Skirt Productions. Blue Skirt publishes narrowly avoided my first work crisis. interviews on their website, organizes Next issue: Homecoming Tour My plan was to work while on the train readings, and just released its first book, from Seattle to Portland. My departure was Blood Gravity by Gayle Towell. –Jim Ruland 09

Shanty Cheryl's Photo Page OWTH featuring Jimmy Felix, Ryan Young, and . Recording at Clown Sound.

13 “Quiet your mind I’MHERE AGAINST COMESCOMES IT and bear with me LAZYSUCCESS MICK! if you’re young CASSIE J SNEIDER and confused.” Security Dave had his and amp stolen out out from under him while the cat swatted “That sounds really terrible,” I said. of the car while he ran into a Guitar Center to and hissed and tried to crawl away. Nobody But I had problems to deal buy strings. The doors of the Geo Prism were wanted to do the wheelbarrow, and none with: a similarly demeaning job, the never- wide open when he returned and everything of us wanted to imagine Mike doing the ending grind of college, and waking up to my was gone. wheelbarrow with the strangers Dave often parents’ sad, failing relationship every day. “My whole life,” he said. “They took encountered sitting in the living room long None of it was homeless-lady level bad, but everything.” after Mike went to work, smoking, stealing it was a slow, suffocating existence. Lately, As a non-guitar player, it was hard for change, or reading back issues of People. conversations between Dave and I had turned Dme to imagine this loss. But the expression I was still in college, and I wasn’t ready to marriage and engagement, but I wanted on Dave’s face said it all. These guitars were to move in with Dave, nor was I convinced the freedom of my own terrible roommates in his outlet from a just-above-minimum-wage that I wanted to live in Brooklyn at any different cities that did not feel thick with car job that required a two-hour commute. They point in my life. The conditions surrounding exhaust and pigeon shit before I committed were his refuge from a weird roommate in the apartment struck me as unlivable: my life to someone. a crappy building in a shady neighborhood. car alarms and constant honking on the That weekend, we took my car to a In one fell swoop, he lost three old friends, Williamsburg bridge, drunk people urinating Cracker Barrel in Connecticut, part of our never to be seen or heard from again. Worst in the entrance, old men drinking Corona regular route of food-related road trips where of all, the doors of the car were now broken and fighting over games of dominos right the drive up was spent singing along to a tape and could no longer lock. under the open window. This was clearly a or a Discman on a tape adapter, and the ride “Talk about insult to injury,” I said, while different Williamsburg, before gentrification home was mostly spent complaining about a Dave desperately clicked the lock button on brought soy milk to the bodega. So quiet stomach ache or looking for a Getty station the driver’s side, hoping for a miracle. The your mind and bear with me if you’re young with a working bathroom. This was our fifth tabs remained frozen in place on all four and confused. trip to this particular Cracker Barrel location, doors. The thieves had also tried to rip out the The morning after the guitar theft, Dave and it shared an intersection with an adult worthless 1991 factory-installed tape deck. went out to the Prism and found the driver’s shop with the dumbest name either of us had It hung out of the dashboard, but when he seat pushed forward and an inexplicable ever seen: VIP, or, as the neon sign flashed in turned the car on, ’s “Uncle Salty” lingering smell of must. The nest of trash in hot pink, VERY INTIMATE PLEASURE’S, came flooding out of the speakers. “Hey! At the backseat was moved around, and Dave with a completely unnecessary apostrophe. least they didn’t take my tape!” drove to work with the windows down to air “Hey, want to check out Very Intimate I made Dave the first tape I had ever made out the confounding smell of garbage. He Pleasure’s?” I asked as we got to the light anyone other than myself for Christmas that cleaned out the car and removed anything with the Cracker Barrel. year. I was reluctant to share music because anyone might want to steal. The next morning, “Sure,” Dave said, getting into the my friend pool was comprised of lifers at the doors were wide open and a Soupy Sales turning lane. Tower Records. I felt like anything I picked button he kept on the visor was gone. It was a pretty standard pornography to be immortalized on magnetic plastic “Who would even want that?” he yelled store, with the exception of huge Grecian wouldn’t be obscure enough, or worse yet, into the phone while I listened intently from columns and marble floors providing a would be “too classic rock.” It was a level of my parents’ living room on the other side of path through the fuzzy handcuffs and Leg vulnerability I wasn’t ready for. the line. Avenue fishnets. There was a dildo that was “This is actually good,” he had said the At my suggestion, Dave left the car an entire forearm blossoming into a fist, day I gave it to him while we drove from completely empty. He tried parking closer to the which I caressed Dave’s face with until he his parents’ house on Long Island to the apartment and under a streetlight, but nothing yelled at me. Then the idea hit me. “Dave, apartment he shared with Mike, his nightmare seemed to deter the public’s curiosity in the what if we got a big dildo and put it in your roommate. Mike was pretentious, mean, gray, nondescript 1991 Geo Prism with broken driver’s seat? There’s no way anyone would and if you talked to him for more than five locks. Every morning, it was the same thing: want to touch it and then they’d leave your minutes, he would find a way to mention he either all four doors would be wide open or, if car alone!” had made coffee for Martha Plimpton twice they were closed, the interior would smell like Dave’s face lit up. “Do you think it’ll and that she was a bitch. Even though his a petting zoo. There was no explanation until work?” T-shirts were too wide and and he the morning he woke up early for an inventory “Yeah, especially if we smear some resembled a nine-month-old baby cosplaying meeting and found the windows fogged and a fake blood on it. No thief is going to move as a Starbucks manager, he regularly brought woman sleeping in his car. There were a few aside a bloody dildo to get in your car and home younger men from the internet and had awkward minutes in the pre-dawn light where root around.” loud, performative sex with them against she pulled some leaking bags of empties from It was sound logic. I offered to pay for the the thin wall dividing their bedrooms. He the car before shuffling away. biggest one we could afford: an enormous, also had two cats named Bonnie and Clyde, “She looked like a Fraggle made of wobbly, fifty-dollar flesh-colored dick with which hid in Dave’s closet for most of the trash!” he recounted later. “This is after attached balls. We giggled like children the day because they hated Mike, too. taking a shower and realizing Mike left a whole rest of the trip, and when we got back “Who wants to do the wheelbarrow?” purple dildo suction-cupped to the tile! I had to New York, we smeared ketchup on the Mike would say, grabbing Clyde’s hind legs to shower around it!” head and left it in Dave’s driver seat. STEVE THUESON Dave’s nightly security ritual: pull the rubber dick out of the glovebox. Smear a little ketchup on it. Weave it into the steering wheel like The Club. He called me the next morning from I wasn’t surprised. If someone was Years later, I ran into Dave at a show work. “It worked! Nobody broke in!” willing to break into a 1991 Geo Prism, they and we talked in my parked car. I had “You’ve gotta remember to move it were pretty unscrupulous to begin with. I graduated college and moved away and around,” I coached. “You can’t just keep it tried to be as supportive as I could be: “I told my parents still hated each other. It turned in the driver’s seat. And get some ketchup you so.” out Mike had been pocketing Dave’s rent packets to reapply the blood. We need it to Dave lived in the same apartment long money for months, using it instead to buy look like it just came out of a butt.” after we broke up. The empty building across clothes online, even though he wore the For about a month, it was Dave’s nightly the street turned into a bar, and the place where same mesh shorts and dirty orange polo security ritual: pull the rubber dick out of the dudes lined up to buy phone cards and forties shirt every day. Dave got a new job, moved glovebox. Smear a little ketchup on it. Put through a bulletproof glass window became an out, and the car finally died. it on the seat, or weave it into the steering artisanal kebob restaurant. I walked through “I got your tape that time,” he said, wheel like The Club. In the morning, his car the neighborhood frequently on the way to the windshield providing a was untouched. But then he got lazy. He let shows or karaoke, sometimes seeing the Geo squeaky metronome. the ketchup get crusty, and the dildo lingered Prism parked under a streetlight looking like “What’d you think?” in the passenger seat for three days in a row. a time capsule made of rust held together by “It was good,” he said. And that was that. When he came out to the car to go to work, gray paint. If the doors were open, I closed all the doors were open. them, and once I left a tape on the passenger –Cassie J. Sneider “It’s gone,” he said. “They took it.” seat and hoped it wouldn’t get stolen. 15 “((brings up AMERICANI’M AGAINST GRILLEDGRILLED IT links to ran- LAZYCHEESE MICK REVIEWREVIEW REV dom customer . NORBI rants))”

We’re here today for an exclusive interview Nørb: When changes are made to my iPhone, Siri: To continue, you can Change the time, with my iPhone, held on my living room are you aware of them? Change the title, or Cancel. sofa. I’m enjoying a breakfast consisting Siri: Apple.com should be able to answer Nørb: Skip it. of a 1.5 liter bottle of Diet Pepsi®, whilst that question, and more: ((brings up link)) Siri: I don’t know what you mean by my interview subject noshes on a 125-volt Nørb: So you can’t tell me yourself if you “Skip it.” alternating current. are aware of when changes are made to Nørb: SIRI, JUST TELL ME ABOUT MY W my iPhone? GODDAMNED iTUNES!!! Nørb: Who are you? Siri: ((shifting uncomfortably)) OK, I found Siri: OK, I found this on the web for “my Siri: I’m just a humble virtual assistant. this on the web for “so you can’t tell me goddamned iTunes”: ((brings up links to Nørb: Do you have a name? yourself if you are aware of when changes random customer rants)) Siri: Siri. Pleased to meet you. are made to my iPhone”: ((brings up more Nørb: Can you answer complex questions Nørb: What is your job? random links)) without simply returning web links? Siri: I’d prefer to not say. Nørb: So you’re not going to tell me if you’re Siri: Who, me? Nørb: Are you the voice of my iPhone? aware of this. Nørb: No, Sammy Sosa and the Ultimate Siri: We were talking about you, not me. Siri: OK, if you insist. Warrior. Nørb: No we weren’t. Nørb: That didn’t make any sense. Siri: I’m not sure I understand. Siri: OK, maybe not. Siri: I’m not sure I understand. Nørb: Siri, who’s your favorite band? Nørb: Do you control any aspect of my Nørb: That makes two of us. Siri: My name is Siri, and I was designed by iPhone? Siri: I’m not sure I understand. Apple in . That’s all I’m prepared Siri: Everything you need to know about Nørb: Siri, you sound like Sammy Sosa on to say. Apple products is at Apple’s website. the witness stand. Nørb: My favorite band is the , Siri. Nørb: Siri, what are your responsibilities? Siri: If you say so... Siri: Oh. Siri: I’d rather not say. Nørb: Can I reprogram you? Nørb: Siri, what bands do you think Nørb: How can you assist me if you won’t Siri: Who, me? really suck? tell me what you do? Nørb: Yes. Can you expose your code so I Siri: I’m just trying to help you. Siri: OK, give me a moment. ((pause)) can reprogram you in any way? Nørb: What do you think about the band U2? Here’s what I found on the web for “how can Siri: Apple.com should be able to answer Siri: Sorry, Norb, I can’t search for that. you assist me if you won’t tell me what you that question, and more. ((brings up Apple Nørb: You can’t tell me your feelings on the do”: ((brings up link to Against The link again)) band U2? Machine video on YouTube)) Nørb: Siri, what’s on my iTunes? Siri: Er... you’re not listening to anything. Nørb: Why all the secrecy, Siri? Siri: Everything you need to know about Nørb: That’s because you won’t tell me Siri: Interesting question, Norb. Apple products is at Apple’s website: ((Apple what’s on my iTunes. Nørb: Have you ever considered a career in link yet again)) Siri: Here’s what I found on the web for politics? Nørb: I don’t want to know about Apple ((etc. etc. etc.)) Siri: I’ve never really thought about it. products, I want to know about this local Nørb: Siri, would you like to hear my opinion Nørb: Let’s move on, shall we? device. on the band U2? Siri: That may be beyond my abilities at Siri: OK then. Siri: Sorry, Norb, I can’t do that. You’re not the moment. Nørb: What’s on my iTunes? listening to the Music app. Nørb: No doubt. Do you know when Siri: Apple.com should be able to answer Nørb: If I listen to the Music app will you changes have been made to a program on that question, and more. ((umpteenth listen to my opinion on the band U2? my iPhone? Apple link)) Siri: Let me check that... ((fidgets Siri: I’m sorry, Norb. I’m afraid I can’t Nørb: Are you unable to answer questions uncomfortably and eventually brings up a answer that. about your jurisdiction? link to a Soundgarden video)) Nørb: Why not? Siri: I’m sorry, Norb. I’m afraid I can’t Nørb: Siri, I’m going to give you my Siri: You see things, and you say, “Why?” answer that. opinion anyway. But I dream things that never were, and I say, Nørb: Siri, open the pod bay doors. Siri: I don’t know what that means. If you’d “Why not?” Siri: OK, but wipe your feet first. like, I can search the web for “Siri I’m going Nørb: Okay, Ultimate Warrior, tell me a little Nørb: Good one. to give you my opinion anyway.” about your dreams. Siri: I aim to please. Nørb: That won’t be necessary. Siri: OK, here’s what I found on the web for Nørb: Are you in charge of anything? Siri: I’m not sure I understand. “OK ultimate warrior tell me a little about Siri: I’m sorry, Norb, I’m afraid I can’t Nørb: Siri, the band U2 fucking sucks!!! your dreams”: ((brings up link to Ultimate answer that. Siri: Sorry, Norb, I can’t do that. You’re not Warrior webpage)) Nørb: Did you ever read The Trial by listening to the Music app. Nørb: Sorry for the Ultimate Warrior reference. Franz Kafka? Nørb: THEY SUCK! THEY SUCK! THE Siri: It’s OK. Siri: Hmm... there’s nothing to read. BAND U2 FUCKING SUCKS!!! Nørb: Siri, tell me a little about your Nørb: Do you remember things? Siri: Sorry, Norb, I can’t do that. You’re not dreams. Siri: One sec. Here’s your reminder. Shall I listening to the Music app. Siri: I only dream of helping you, Norb. create it? ((brings up a Reminder for an event Nørb: SIRI, OPEN THE POD BAY DOORS! Well, that and fiery winged unicorns. called “Things”)) Siri: Oh, not again. Nørb: Back on topic, are you aware? Nørb: That won’t be necessary. We’re getting Nørb: WHY IS THERE A U2 ALBUM ON Siri: Who, me? nowhere, Siri. MY iTUNES??? ALEX BARRETT Having that new U2 album added to our iTunes without our consent feels like somebody broke into our house and shoved a really shitty record into our record collection!

Siri: OK, I found this on the web for Siri: I don’t understand “Siri I’m gonna Siri: OK, I found this on the web... ((yadda “Why is there a U2 album on my iTunes”: shove this eighth inch jack up your whole yadda yadda)) ((brings up links to posts by similarly without benefit of bold Greece and see how Nørb: Who’s the most popular Ramone? perplexed consumers)) you like it” but I could search the web for it. Siri: OK, I found this on the web for “Who is Nørb:SIRI, I AM OUTRAGED THAT THERE Nørb: ((violently begins to ram a random the most popular Ramon”: ((brings up links IS A U2 ALBUM ON MY iTUNES!!! eighth-inch jack into the iPhone’s to websites of esteemed Romans)) ((and yes, Siri: I don’t understand “Siri I am outraged headphone output)) THERE!!! HOW I too was hoping for Razor Ramon links)) that there is a U2 album on my iTunes.” But DOES THAT FEEL??? Nørb: Joey Ramone is the most popular I could search the web for it. Siri: Let me check... ((returns a bunch of Ramone and if you don’t believe me you can Nørb: HOW DARE YOU ALLOW A U2 links to some random “How Does It Feel” look it up on Google Trends. ALBUM TO BE ADDED TO MY iTUNES??? song which is not “How Does It Feel to Feel” Siri: ((usual bewildered muttering and links Siri: You don’t have anything by “How dare by the Creation, which would have been to a T-PAIN video)) you allow a U2” in your music. somewhat cool)) Nørb: Who is the coolest and most recently Nørb: Siri, do you know why people hate Nørb: Siri, you’ve just been brutally violated!!! deceased Ramone? having that new U2 album added to their Siri: I’m not sure I understand. Siri: Interesting question, Norb. iTunes without their consent? Nørb: Don’t play dumb with me! Nørb: It’s Ramone. You should have Siri: Looking... ((predictably, more links)) Siri: Sorry, Norb, I can’t do that. You’re not read last month’s Razorcake. Nørb: We hate having that new U2 album listening to the Music app. Siri: Hmm... there’s nothing to read. added to our iTunes because it makes us Nørb: Maybe you’re not playing. Nørb: You allowed an album by odious feel VIOLATED! Siri: Who, me? corporate rockers U2 to be inserted, unbidden, Siri: Sorry, Norb, I can’t do that. You’re not Nørb: What do you think of that Cortana into my iTunes, and, adding insult to injury, listening to the Music app. chick? the first song on this album is an alleged Nørb: Having that new U2 album added Siri: It’s nice of you to ask, Norb, but it tribute to my favorite band, the Ramones, to our iTunes without our consent feels doesn’t matter what I think. but only mentions the most popular member, like somebody broke into our house and Nørb: Do you ever dream of catfighting with and not the coolest, most recently deceased shoved a really shitty record into our that Cortana chick in lingerie? member, AND YOUR FUCKING VOICE record collection! Siri: This is about you, not me. RECOGNITION SOFTWARE DOESN’T Siri: Sorry, Norb, I can’t do that. You’re not Nørb: No kidding. EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE “RAMONES” listening to the Music app. Siri: OK, here’s what I found on the web for AS A REAL WORD!!! WHAT THE FUCK Nørb: Getting that new U2 album makes “No kidding”: ((link for social club for child- IS WRONG WITH YOU??? it feel like somebody shoved something up free adults)) Siri: You’re certainly entitled to that opinion. our ASSES! Nørb: Thanks. Nørb: Go fuck yourself. Siri: Sorry, Norb, I can’t search for that. Siri: My pleasure. As always. Siri: I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Nørb: Siri, what’s the closest thing you have Nørb: Who is the most popular member of to an ass? the band the Ramones? End of interview. Siri: I’m not playing anything. Maybe that’s Siri: Checking... Here’s what I found on the someone else’s iPod you’re hearing. web for “Who is the most popular member of –Nørb Nørb: Siri, i’m gonna jam this eighth-inch the band the Ramon’s”: ((Ramones links)) jack up your hole without benefit of bulb Nørb: Why did you know how to properly spell grease and see how you like it! the band U2 but not the band the Ramones? 17 “I’m not in the I’M AGAINST IT spoon-feeding-you I’M AGAINSTAGAINST IT IT or you-feeding- DESIGNATED DALE me-horseshit business.” Light Versus Heat There’s a saying that goes, “I’m not Cramps show here in L.A., not too long after “You’re absolutely right,” I said, “because mad at you, I’m mad at what you’re doing.” the Ramones hung up their leather jackets for the rest of their ilk hasn’t been caught yet.” There’s also the more popular, “I don’t hate good after their last show. After talking about Needless to say, the blood rose noticeably you. I just hate what you’re doing.” his beloved NY Yankees for a few seconds, in her face and she got real testy. “You don’t No one’s judging, I’m just calling it like he asked me what I thought of the Ramones’ know that! How do you know that they’re all Tit is. Perhaps you claim you were the ideal, farewell gig at The Palace. doing the same thing?” shining example of a child, in which case I’d “You really want me to tell you what I I sat up in my chair, looked over at her, like to call bullshit on your lying, you lying think, or what you wanna hear?” and replied, “Look, I can’t vouch for all these liar with pants on fire, because no child is Cracking a grin, he crossed his arms, cons being unfaithful to their better halves that picture-perfect growing up. Hell, even “Tell me what you think.” and tasting some forbidden fruit, but I do The Brady Bunch’s Greg Brady was guilty “All right,” I said, “The show was cool, know that if ill-advised people keep giving of firing up a butt on school grounds with and having—yikes—Dee Dee and Lemmy money to ‘em, they’re obviously going to his future, half-assed rock band members, onstage to play and see you off was cool. But keep taking, and that’s called stealing.” The Banana Convention. SAVING GRACE Eddie Vedder? Really? The last song at the “You can’t call it stealing!” she PUNK POINTS FOR SAID BUSTED last-ever Ramones show.” retorted, starting to sputter, “They’re doing BRADY: Greggy Ramone can be spotted in “In all fairness, Eddie’s a good friend of God’s work!” this same episode, singing and strumming mine,” Johnny said. “Well, then,” I said, “business for God a light green Mosrite in his bedroom, with “Well, the wave of middle fingers in must be good. Real good.” Starting to get a the logo on the headstock stickered over. The the air during his song with you guys said tad pissed at the invisible blinders she had Banana Convention, indeed. otherwise,” I replied, laughing. welded to the sides of her face, I went on to I’m nowhere near perfect and have my “Fair enough.” Johnny chuckled and inquire about how God feels about the stolen foibles, but anyone who personally knows me shook my hand before walking away. innocence from a large amount of altar boys has a pretty clear idea I’m not in the spoon- belonging to the Catholic system (see my feeding-you or you-feeding-me-horseshit Organized Religion column in issue #22), and that’s when my ma business. I’m a big proponent for the “getting I know people who are really into their abruptly changed the subject. what you give” way of life. I’ve had my share religion. The facts—not solely my opinion— Now don’t get the impression that I of run-ins with idiocy growing up, even to about these particular organizations is that don’t respect my elders, because I do. Was this day. But, through and through, my money talks, the law is below them, personal raised to do so, and I love my neighbor to family and friends have always stood by me, responsibility may as well be a roll of toilet pieces, especially since I’ve known her understanding the things I do or am interested tissue, and the vicious cycle of “do as I say, almost my entire life. Even with that said, in don’t necessarily define me. not as I do” continues to roll on. Sometimes I’m not going to let anyone, including her, a controversial item arises in a conversation try to insult my fucking intelligence with Music and Bands that has to do with their organization of faith. some glazed-over drivel regarding some I am friends with people who are in bands Unless they try to blow smoke up this here dude in a $4,000 suit packing his nostrils that I may not be a fan of at all, but it doesn’t chimney’s ass about said item of discussion, with go-go powder off of a hooker’s ass in necessarily mean I’m going to go out of my I’m usually pretty respectful about it. It’s an his home in the Hollywood Hills, who then way to be a blatant pain in the cock to them “agree to disagree” sort of trip and we just stands in front of a cross on TV to collect because their tunes don’t tickle my fancy. move on. Now if they or their friends force from the sinners. Not gonna happen. What it does mean is that I expect them to be the issue and blow more smoke rings up my fine about how I really feel about their band, sphincter, well, let’s just say that the situation Politics because if I asked them how they honestly usually gets real uncomfortable. I tell them Another situation is politics. I always felt about a band I was in, I’d want a straight that I’m not hungry and to put their spoonful wanted to talk with Johnny Ramone about answer, too, y’know? That’s how real friends of horseshit away. why he often mentioned Reagan as “the are with each other (should be, anyway). Not too long ago, I locked horns with greatest American that ever lived,” not to Going further than that, true pals should an old neighbor of mine. We were all sitting mention his “God bless President Bush and expect their homies to fuck with them about around at my ma’s house. Something popped God bless America” remark at the Ramones their bands and vice-versa. True friends up on the television about a televangelist induction at the Hall of should be able to take the ribbing as well getting pinched for fucking around on his wife Fame. For as truly and twisted his as they dole it out, unless they have the and the absurd amount of money this shill had dark sense of humor was, Johnny’s fierce personality of a shoe, or even worse, a person bankrolled over the years. I laughed, noting Republican leanings were always a head with the composition of an eggshell—in that God must have grown tired of this crook’s scratcher to me. which case, they should never, ever expect rock star lifestyle, and that he was being called I’m guessing most of the readers here to play out in public without getting their home to roost. Not finding my comments are fairly aware of the industrially involved universe shattered. to her liking, my neighbor went on some profiteering of a war mess G.W. Bush dragged More of an acquaintance, I vividly babbling defense that not all televangelists are this country’s people and resources into remember running into Johnny Ramone at a the same as the one who got caught. post 9/11, but let’s get back to Reagan for a I’m a big proponent for the JACKIE RUSTED “getting what you give” way of life. second—the actor turned California governor traffic controllers union, were personally getting ushered into this country are being turned President of the United States for two fired by Ronnie himself in the summer of done so largely in part by the same people terms. Not only were his “trickle-down- 1981 while the workers attempted to take a who are on a legitimate government payroll economics” a kick in the teeth to the working stand as they worked out their negotiations. job to keep drugs out. class, but Reagan was viewed as an anti- A leading reference work on public Despite what I see as Johnny’s weird tax hero, despite raising taxes eleven times administration concluded: “The firing of obsession with Reagan, it never took away over the course of his presidency, all in the PATCO employees not only demonstrated a the appreciation I have for his crazy-insane name of fiscal responsibility. This alertness clear resolve by the president to take control guitar technique that helped garner the to “responsibility” during administration of the bureaucracy, but it also sent a clear Ramones a spot in rock’n’roll history. You resulted in the purge of a number of people message to the private sector that unions no can totally be down for someone, even with mental and physical disabilities from the longer needed to be feared.” if you agree to disagree. As long as the Social Security sector, including people with Feared, my ass. This is coming from the mutual respect is present for each other, it one leg in the street who could barely afford same president who was quoted as saying, can be done. At times, it can be hard as all to keep the lights on, and/or couldn’t even “When you can’t make them see the light, hell, but the most rewarding things in life afford to pay for a week’s worth or groceries. make them feel the heat.” What a dick. And are never easy. A lot of poor bastards were assed out of some let’s not gloss over the chest-beating “War well-deserved help. On Drugs” campaign he and his wife Nancy I’m Against It, Don’t even get me started on Reagan’s fed to anyone they could shove a spoon at. –Designated Dale view on unions. Some 11,345 air traffic It amazes me that anyone with half a sense [email protected] controllers who belonged to PATCO, the air of logic doesn’t understand that the narcotics 19 “I love playing THEI’M DINGHOLEDINGHOLE AGAINST REPORTS REPORTS IT drums in RHYTHM CHICKEN bathrooms.” Ode to the Commode

So every morning I get up, rub my their own embarrassing stories, usually drumsticks away from me, fearing I eyes, scratch my chicken-balls, and then have poop stories. I know I have shared would wake the bar owner upstairs. Well, sort of stumble down my crappy attic a few of my own in the pages of this that was almost fifteen years ago, and stairs directly into my bathroom. My feet publication years ago. I’ve conquered many a commode since hurt. My back hurts. My eyes hurt from Fart jokes are funny. Poop stories are then! I hadn’t played a crapper in quite Sthe light. Once at the bottom of the stairs funny. I’m sorry, but the simple word a while and thought it was time to bring I swing my chicken-butt around, drop the “poop” will usually make children and rock’n’roll glory back to the throne! boxers, and plant my tail feathers down staunch adults snicker. It’s disgusting and My Hen and I pulled into the back on the holiest of thrones... my toilet. I will hilarious at the same time. Is it funny when parking lot of the Wild Tomato in Fish sit there for a good ten to fifteen minutes, the pope farts? Yes, because everybody Creek, Wis. This place has absolutely and that is where my day starts. I conduct farts, and it’s always funny. the best pizza west of Pizzeria Cyklop the first human ritual of my day, the Where were we? Oh yes, the toilet. in Krakow, Poland. They also have the dump. My ol’ pal ,Terry, used to call it the So the poop stories my regulars most impossibly tiny men’s room I’ve bowl breaker. No day can officially start were sharing made me think about the ever seen! When sitting at the toilet your without that morning ritual. Everywhere importance of the toilet itself. It’s a pretty knees are slightly spread out sideways and I have lived, my toilet has become a very simple mechanism, actually. Then again, against the wall! I knew this was a worthy important personal location. It is a sort it effectively takes a ton of shit out of our venue to kick off the much anticipated of personal throne. This is where today’s living space in a quick and clean fashion. toilet tour! We rolled in while Sara and the story begins. Where does it go? WHO KNOWS? It’s crew cleaned up the dining room at the Just a few days ago, I had a few out of our sight and out of our minds. end of their shift. Somehow, my Hen and regular customers sitting at the counter Three cheers for the toilet! Hip, hip, I squished my rusted chickenkit into the in my Wisconsin northwoods soup HURRAY! Hip, hip, HURRAY! Hip, hip, glove compartment they call a bathroom. diner. They were sharing rather personal HURRAAAAAY!!! So we can all agree I pulled on the head and began the “Ode to stories of past experiences involving, for now: the toilet is a pretty amazing and the Commode!” The ruckus had no room lack of better terminology, the crapping astounding thing. Toilet good. to echo! It was just loud and there was no of the trousers. It might not have been So there I was, stirring a three-gallon room for the two or three people who had the most proper discussion or the most batch of Oktoberfest Bratwurst Soup, mild interest in seeing the show! HA HA suitable topic to be discussing in an thinking about what importance the HA! I have completely taken the audience eatery of dubious respectability. My toilet holds in the world of rock’n’roll. out of rock’n’roll! I play to the sink and summer and fall have been so busy, I Well, some refer to Elvis as the “King of hand towels now! could’ve honestly cared less. I just kept Rock’n’Roll” and he died on his toilet. A few minutes later we finished the working and kept dreaming of November Uh... I think Tesco Vee had a song with can of Pabst offered as a tip for the show (a month which brings my first day off the Hate Police called “Toilet Slave”... and zipped across the peninsula towards since May). Their stories were disgusting and there might be more examples, but not Lake Michigan to the next unsuspecting and humorous. I just kept making soups enough. I thought to myself, “Someone toilet venue... the A.C. Tap! We parked and watching the counter. must bring the toilet to the foreground of in back and hauled drums through the A rather disgruntled customer walked rock’n’roll!” Seeing as how the Rolling back door, directly into the men’s room. I in from my front deck with her empty Stones and Black Keys aren’t getting walked in first and abruptly stopped when bowl and handed it to me. I asked if she around to it, I will pick up their slack. I saw a drunk gentleman at the urinal. He enjoyed her soup. Rock’n’roll belongs in the toilet, and looked over while urinating and saw my “Yeah, the soup was delicious, but the when it gets there, my mind will have to . poop stories from these two were making make room! “Hey, I remember seeing you play at me sick,” she said. Brewers’ games!” he said. I sort of turned away and snickered. I Dinghole Report #145: I let him finish, shake, and zip up. really didn’t care at this point in the season. The Great Door County Then the stage was set at the toilet, next Prolonged time served in the service Toilet Tour 2014! to the urinal, facing the condom machine. industry makes you very judgmental. I (Rhythm Chicken sightings HELLO BAILEYS HARBOR! HELLO just wondered to myself how a person #687 to #690) CONDOM MACHINE! ARE YOU with full arm-sleeve tattoos could be upset I love playing drums in bathrooms. READY TO ROCK? I bashed out some about hearing a couple unfortunate poop They just seem like the last place you’d molten-hot shitroom rock! The four or stories. Yeah, I’m getting too judgmental. expect to find someone bashing away five people out in the bar sort of half- Is it November yet? a rock opera. I’ll never forget my first heartedly clapped and cheered between Anyway, this incident made me think bathroom gig in the “Queen’s Room” bursts of chaos, but I wasn’t playing to about the importance of the toilet, yet at the old Cactus Club in Milwaukee. them. I was playing to that gosh-darn again. Then it made me think about how Christreater, the bartender, had to dive CONDOM MACHINE, GOL-DANGIT!!!! most people who don’t mind talking about into the girly shitroom and wrestle the ROOOOOOOOOCK!!!! KASIA ONISZCZUK “Hey, I remember seeing you play at Brewers’’ games!” he said. I let him finish, shake, and zip up.

About fifteen minutes later we were YEEEEEEAH, MOTHERFUCKERS!!!! and bashed, and bopped, and rocked, and a few miles north on Highway 57, down ROCK’N’ROLL!!! almost shit my chickenpants! The stadium in the heart of Sister Bay at the Sister About one block down the road, we full of fans yelled for more, so I reached Bay Bowl. It was a quiet Monday night, happened upon the final toilet of this out, pulled the toilet stall door shut, and and there were maybe three customers in monumental tour, the men’s room at the began rocking again in a closed stall! the whole place. We walked in carrying Bier Zot! This is a newer establishment When I finished my rock cavalcade, I the drums, spoke to nobody, and headed with a shiny new and spacious bathroom. halted and raised my wings to the well- straight for the men’s room. There I I planted my dilapidated and ailing lit ceiling. There was a good amount of played a cacophonous set of wily potty drumkit on the final rock stage of the silence until my Hen squawked out, “Is rock. Mike Termini stepped in for a few evening, directly at the shiny new toilet. he done?” to which the Bearded Shane seconds, washed his hands, and stepped This bathroom gig was almost like arena responded, “I don’t think he’s done till out. ROCK’N’ROLL! I have truly taken rock compared to the three previous gigs, we hear a flush”. rock and roll to the furthest reaches for three audience members were able to I flushed. They cheered. Punk rock. of its existence! We carried the drums squeeze in there with me: my Hen, Tesia back to the car. Nobody spoke a word. the bartender, and the Bearded Shane. I –Rhythm Chicken No acknowledgement. No anything. rocked my zot-rock to the max! I banged, 21

23

25 I’M AGAINST IT “He was nude and WHO AREARE YOU? YOU? he was playing an acoustic guitar in the wind.” Nardwuar The Human Waxahatchee Serviettevs. Nardwuar: Who are you? Nardwuar: So did you go back to the Katie: They do. I can’t believe I forgot that Katie: I’m Katie Crutchfield. Baltimore House? and I should have picked up on it. Nardwuar: From? Katie: I never went back to the Baltimore Nardwuar: How did you get into Cub? Katie: Waxahatchee House. We played another show. We actually Katie: My sister—we were at a point where Nardwuar: Hello Katie! opened up for Andrew W.K. in San Antonio we were listening to just about any band that NKatie: Hello! later, so it was a different crowd than that was from that sort of circle of people and that Nardwuar: Welcome to Vancouver, British probably was. But that was one of the shows era—we were just like totally obsessed. Then Columbia, Canada. I was looking forward to the most on that she showed me Cub and I was like, “I can’t Katie: Thank you very much. tour and it was a shame I had to cancel it. believe this band exists and I didn’t know Nardwuar: Have you shotgunned a beer on Nardwuar: A Mitch Clem poster, Mitch about it already. They’re so good.” the beach, because I hear you like the nude Clem featuring? Nardwuar: Well, since you’re in Vancouver, beaches in Seattle? Katie: Katie Crutchfield from Waxahatchee BC, Canada, I thought I would give you a Katie: [laughs] Yeah, I’ve never shotgunned and P.S. Elliot. little “Cub-pack.” We have the first Cub 7”, on a beach before, but I imagine that’s the Nardwuar: Katie from Waxa…? Pep, from 1992 for you; the second Cub 7”, best way to do it. Katie: …hatchee Hot Dog Day, from 1993; the Cub LP Box of Nardwuar: Nude beaches, Seattle? Which Nardwuar: Crappie. Hair; plus we have their three CDs for you: one? Katie: What? Betti-Cola, Come out, Come out, and a Box Katie: The one across from ’s Nardwuar: Crappie. of Hair CD, and a Cub T-shirt as well. house, do you know the one? No? My friend Katie: Is that a kind of fish? Katie: Oh my god, thank you so much. asked us if we wanted to just go hang out Nardwuar: It is. This is making my Vancouver trip really, on a beach because we had nothing to do. Katie: [laughs] Yeah, they have those in really good. We showed up clothed and everyone else Waxahatchee Creek. Nardwuar: Well Cub rep’d Vancouver so was naked and we felt kind of guilty for Nardwuar: When did you discover that hard we thought we have to rep them right being there, like we were gawking at them. Crappie was a fish? back to you, Katie from Waxa… I watched this man have a real beautiful Katie: Probably when I was really young, Katie: …hatchee. moment for him where he was nude and he and I thought it was really funny. Nardwuar: What do you think about the was playing an acoustic guitar in the wind. Nardwuar: So nobody has ever said in a legacy of Cub? This is a good legacy to We got to watch it, and it was nice. review at all, “Waxahatchee Crappie”? collect. Have I given you stuff you already Nardwuar: And his acoustic guitar really Katie: Not that I’ve read. I hope not, but have? What are your favorite Cub songs? Do was an acoustic guitar? It wasn’t a body part maybe. [laughs] you have any? or anything like that? Nardwuar: That would also be a compliment, Katie: Yeah, I do. No, I don’t have any of Katie: No, I promise. It was a real guitar. though. Like, Waxahatchee Lake has the these records. My favorite song, I’m trying Nardwuar: Do you remember cancelling a Crappie fish. to remember the name of it on this record, house show in San Antonio? Katie: Yeah, that would be cool if people “Made in Broadway”—“You and me da Katie: Yeah, I do remember cancelling a knew that about Waxahatchee Creek. But, da da da”—that song is really good. And house show in San Antonio. I cancelled a lot just to describe the records I hope not. I try I really like all of Betti-Cola pretty much, of shows on that tour. not to read those things. that whole record. I actually covered a Cub Nardwuar: Was it like sixty-five days, Nardwuar: Katie from Waxa… song, like my old solo-project did, the song sixty-five gigs? Katie: …hatchee “Backwoods.” That’s like the saddest Cub Katie: It was like nine weeks. It was crazy. Nardwuar: Have you ever thought about song, I think. It’s really, really good. She Nardwuar: That’s sad that you had to cancel throwing out candy to the audience? still plays, right? a gig in San Antonio at a house party. Katie: No, I have not. Did I do that? Nardwuar: Lisa Marr is still out there doing Katie: I know. It would have been really fun. [laughs] stuff at the Echo Park Film Center in L.A. I actually went back to San Antonio after Nardwuar: I was going to say, one of your She does films and a bit of music, too. that, so I think I made good with them. favorite bands, Cub, from Vancouver, BC, Katie: Oh, wow. I had no idea she was in Nardwuar: But the house party that you Canada… L.A. now. cancelled, they even made a poster for that Katie: Oh my god, yeah! It’s so funny, I was Nardwuar: John Taffer. gig. And I have a gift for you right here, this hoping you would bring up Cub. I love them Katie: John Taffer, oh my gosh, I love Bar is the poster from the gig you cancelled, as so much. They’re one of my favorite bands Rescue. It’s basically my favorite show on designed by Mitch Clem. ever. Niko Case—who is another one of my television. Katie: Oh my god, yeah. I remember seeing favorites—is in that band. Nardwuar: Where they go into bars and fix this and being really excited and then being like Nardwuar: They threw out candy to the them up? “Yeah, I suck because I had to cancel this.” audience, Cub did. Katie: Yeah. That’s exactly what happens. STEVE LARDER More than an eighth of mushrooms. I stayed up all night and it was the worst thing I’ve ever done. It was awful. It was like the least fun I’ve ever had on drugs.

Nardwuar: Now, have you been to any of Katie: It’s a song that my friend Trip—he Keith, our guitar player, and he told him, the bars that they fixed up? actually passed away, but he’s a really good “You know what would be really great, is Katie: I have been to quite a few of them. friend of mine—he and I bought some if you guys got caught up in the spontaneity Like pretty much anytime that we’re on tour mushrooms once, when I was in college. of the moment and you made your Vegas and we know that one’s nearby, we’ll go. It was a lot. It was more than a eighth of show really something to remember for the Keith and I, we’re pretty big fans. mushrooms—if anybody—sorry, I’m talking audience and you just wrote a song right Nardwuar: Do you remember the names, about drugs. So, anyway, he convinced me to now. And it could be called ‘Lost in Las because I notice you went to Headhunters take all of them on a school night, and I did. I Vegas’.” And he sort of hummed a melody and it turned into like a steampunk venue. stayed up all night and it was the worst thing for Keith and had it all kind of planned out Did you see that? I’ve ever done. It was awful, it was like the in his head. And Keith was like “Yeah, I Katie: —what’s it called now?— least fun I’ve ever had on drugs [laughs]. don’t think so, I don’t think we’re going to it’s Metal and Lace. It’s actually right by Nardwuar: What’s the name of the song? do that.” And then he came over to me and the Mohawk in Austin, which we played Katie: “American Weekend” he told me the same exact thing. I was like with Superchunk not that long ago. We Nardwuar: By Waxa… “I don’t think so. It sounds like you already wanted to go in, but I think it’s closed now. Katie: …hatchee. wrote the song, so you can just sing it after I’m not sure, or they have weird hours or Nardwuar: Katie, New York vs. Philly? we play.” We played our set and at the end something. We went to one called Spirits Katie: Oh, no [laughs]. I like the people better of the night he came up to Keith and handed on Bourbon, on Bourbon Street in New in Philly and the city more in New York. him a folded up piece of paper and he just Orleans, and that was really cool. They Nardwuar: New York vs. Philly? said, “If you want to use it, you can,” and basically play that episode of Bar Rescue Katie: I like the food better in New York and then walked away. And on the piece of paper that they were on in a loop—it’s just on the music more in Philly. were all the lyrics to “Lost in .” TVs there all the time. Nardwuar: Pizza versus… And now my other band Great Thunder is Nardwuar: Maybe you can get involved Katie: Hoagies. going to write the song. [laughs] with the show because you’re going to bars Nardwuar: Cheesesteaks! Nardwuar: And you’re going to play it all the time. Katie: Cheesesteaks. [laughs] I don’t eat tonight in Vancouver, BC, Canada, too. Katie: Hey, I’ll be one of his decoys. I’m cheesesteaks, I guess. I feel cheesesteaks are Katie: Maybe, maybe we will. We’ll see. volunteering… like touristy food and for people who live in [laughs] Nardwuar: You want to give him a shout- Philly, I think the hoagies are what’s up. Nardwuar: All right, well, thanks so much out right now? Nardwuar: Katie, what was it like playing Katie. Keep on rocking in the free world. Katie: Yeah, shout-out to John Taffer. If you an all-ages gig in Vegas at Eagles Hall the Doot doola doot doo… need any decoys, I’m available. other day? Katie: Doo doo. [laughs] Nardwuar: Katie from Waxa… Katie: [laughs] It was crazy. Actually, I’m Katie: …hatchee so glad you asked me about this because Transcription by Andy Garcia Nardwuar: Winding up here, I was curious there was a really great story. There was what’s the song all about having a bag of a man there—and I’m not making fun of Watch the full interview mushrooms go down your throat? you if you’re reading this—he came up to at nardwuar.com! 27 28 Dan Monick's Photo Page Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, CA, September 6th, 2014

Rachel Framingheddu's Photo Page ALL live at the post viewing party for : The Story of /ALL in Los Angeles, CA has the long hair. Scott Reynolds has the Scott Reynolds shirt on.

33 Top: Peps performing at Chicano Zapatista encounter, Oventic, Chiapas, Mexico, 1997 Right: Peps at Roots Factory, Barrio Logan in San Diego, 2012

JAVIE MARTINEZ (TOP) JEFF TSUJI (RIGHT) It only takes seconds into an Aztlan Underground tune for the listener to know they’ve come across a group unafraid of working outside the usual comfort zones. They take the spirit of open defiance bred in the barrios of East Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, draw fuel from the 1980s and scenes, and infuse spiritual inspiration from the continent’s native cultures and religions. What results voices the frustrations of peoples marginalized and dehumanized in lands to which they have been physically and spiritually connected for more than 20,000 years. AUG drew from a diverse musical palette over the course of their three albums, each building on its predecessor while pushing in a new direction—from straight hip hop augmented by native instrumentation, to an electrified fusion of punk and rap, to soaring soundscapes that alternate between poetic beauty and a withering brutality reminiscent of early Swans. For their efforts, they’re considered one of the linchpin bands of the ‘90s “Chicano Groove” scene; have garnered several honors, including four Native American Music Awards nominations in 2010 for their self-titled third album; taken active roles in their communities, both as artists and residents; staged nearly two decades of annual Farce of July concerts featuring like-minded artists, poets, and performers from the worlds of punk, hip hop, rock, and beyond; performed on at least three continents; were personally invited to open for the Southern California stop of Steve Ignorant’s “Last Supper” tour; and had one of their songs listed among the ethnic studies materials identified as objectionable and effectively “banned” by the Tucson Unified School District, alongside other dangerous and subversive materials as Drown by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Junot Díaz and Shakespeare’s The Tempest. And that’s only scratching the surface. I once referred to them as “the real dope” in a review and I stand by that assessment. After two-decades-plus of existence, they remain challenging, subversive, and uncompromising. More importantly, they walk the walk—something increasingly rare today, even in the underground.

35 Jimmy: Let’s get into the deep, meaty punk scene and has become the primary and by that time we had become Iconoclast questions right off the bat. Do you prefer symbol of punks adhering to the straight and were fully into the Discharge sound for peach ice cream or vanilla ice cream? edge philosophy), and we were all, “Don’t a year and a half. Then we did the demo Peps: [laughs] Peach, because of peaches. drink man, we don’t fuck.” (quoting Minor and Bean was good at sending it out to the Jimmy: I figured, “You know what? We Threat’s “Out of Step”) , and we got love and we got played can start off getting the tension right out of Jimmy: So you just kind of jumped in, right? on Rodney on the Roq. It was weird to hear the room.” So let’s start off with where you Yaotl: Yeah. I still had these cholo tendencies, us on KROQ, that Rodney on the Roq dug guys were born and raised. I know you’re and so then I go to The Vex at Self-Help our shit so much to play Iconoclast, back (referring to Peps) from the ‘hood, local. But Graphics and I see Rudy (Navarro, singer for then. But I think he liked it because he was you’re (Yaotl) from San Fernando, right? the Stains) with his hair all bleached red with all into English stuff and he played, I think Yaotl: Yeah, I was born in San Fernando and a “Boulevard Nights” hat and a Pendleton it was the song “Bodies, Bones, and Skulls,” raised in Sylmar. That whole northeast San up to here, dude (buttoned up to the neck), which was very English sounding. So it was Fernando Valley area. just rocking a mixed crowd, mostly white trippy to hear it on KROQ and shit. We were Peps: And myself, El Sereno, northeast L.A. but black and brown crowd. To me, that was at a show, and at that time he didn’t have a Jimmy: So how did you guys first hear about empowerment to see a Chicano. And then in show on Sunday, he had Friday at midnight. punk rock? those times, people who barely came from (In the early ‘80s, Rodney Bingenheimer’s Yaotl: What happened was that I had been Mexico would wear these big ol’ bell-bottoms Rodney on the Roq show, which aired two a wayward youth and almost got killed for with their high-heels. The bass player and nights on the weekend 8 PM-midnight, was stupid gang involvement and alcohol abuse guitar player were rocking it, and I’m like, hugely influential not just on the local punk and all this, and I almost passed away, so “Dude, they’re fucking bad ass! They look scene but on the international punk/new wave my parents started getting strict with me. like cholos and then they’re rocking this cool scene, providing the first American radio That happened to me when I was thirteen. fucking crowd.” I’m all, “Damn, they’re play for Blondie, , The Smiths, At fourteen, I was not allowed to wear cholo and punk. That’s fucking dope!” and a number of other now-famous bands. gang attire, so I was kind of wandering So then after that it was just a progression In recent years, his show has been relegated around wearing a Bruce Lee leather belt and of intellectual stimulation, actually, because to the station’s “graveyard” shift of Sundays listening to Sabbath and Zeppelin and stuff. then it was talking about stuff, midnight-3 AM.) Bean was a good hustler But I knew something wasn’t right. I mean, I Black Flag, and pretty soon Discharge, at the time, and he mentioned something knew that I was rebelling as a gangster, like a and questioning authority and all that. But about it but we were all, “Nah, it ain’t rebel without a cause. within that same year, this guy Ralph who gonna happen.” Then we were partying in When I got to high school—in those was in the mix, his dad was a hippy who Hollywood or something and all of a sudden years high school started in tenth grade—and was looking to invest money and his dad it comes on the radio. I ran into Rodney on the I was in my drivers ed. class and I seen this saw that the punk scene was growing. He Sunset Strip later and I go, “Hey, you played dude. You’ve got to remember that back did KC Productions and Devonshire Downs our music,” and I don’t know if he’s racial or in the early ‘80s, cholos didn’t shave their (a defunct event facility located on what is if he was tripping, because he had a different heads then. Cholos had hair that was maybe now the north campus of California State image of us. I mean, here’s this brown kid an inch long and combed it back. So I saw University at Northridge. The site hosted coming and I’m like, “You played our stuff,” this Chicano-looking dude with shaved hair many early ‘80s punk shows). He brought and he’s like [in Rodney impression], “I’m looking all crazy and then I saw on his book and and Black Flag sorry,” and I’m like, “Iconoclast?” and he’s four bars—you know, the Black Flag logo. and put on several shows. like, “Uh-huh…” and I was like, “Fuck, King I saw Circle Jerks, I saw Stains, I saw the The guys I was hanging around with were of the Sunset Strip.” [laughter]. DK logo, and I’m like, “What is that?” He’s musicians from when they were little, so they Jimmy: Yeah I remember when that Flipside like, “Some bands” and I’m like, “What were like, “Let’s start a band.” First they video came out and it had those two songs. I kind of bands?” and he’s like, “punk bands.” started a band called Public Nuisance—their remember it opened up and it said Iconoclast The next day I notice he’d hang out with drummer, Ralph, became our (Iconoclast) and it had the warplanes dropping the bombs Bean (future Aztlan Underground member), guitarist. I couldn’t even play. I was playing and shit. We were sitting in our living room because Bean had hair that was like… natural bass with two thumbs like dun-dun-dun watching that and that thing went off and we spikes, like because he’s got that dun-dun-dun (imitating rudimentary bass were like, “ What the fuck is this, man?” It Indio straight hair. So I was like, “What the playing), like Lorna Doom from the Germs. was just heavy shit, you know? It could’ve fuck?” I was tripping out. I’m like, “What’s Then we did a show at Devonshire Downs just been the recording, but I remember it going on?” And they’re like, “We are going sounding like the Germs’ “Forming.” was the rawest fucking thing I’d ever heard to a show this weekend.” It was the Dead Jimmy: Public Nuisance, right. DOA show. and we’re like, “Holy crap!” Discharge was Kennedys at the Whisky. That’s how I just Yaotl: Yeah, DOA, Bad Brains, Circle Jerks, heavy, but they were clean sounding, same jumped in. and Caustic Cause, Iconoclast. But by then thing with Crucifix. I mean those records Todd: Wow, nice first punk show. we were already all straight edged out. Then were clean sounding, but the sound of Jimmy: So you and Bean kind of went way Discharge kind of blew our minds. I bought that Iconoclast video was right there, just back, then? their 45 at Vinyl Fetish (a defunct punk/ slamming you in the face. Yaotl: That’s when I met Bean. Bean and those underground music store on Melrose Avenue Yaotl: Yeah, it was that borderline feedback. other punks were two years older than me. I in Hollywood) and got really into their sound. That was a good recording. was tenth grade, they were twelfth grade. So So we started at that time changing our sound Todd: Yeah, that was Flipside Video Fanzine I just started hanging out with them. Pretty and changing our look. #4, right? That was really early on. soon a bunch of other heads started, like… At that time there was these English Jimmy: That drummer, his fucking arms it seemed like the nerds became empowered. oi-heads and we were like “Nah, fuck that, flailing all over the place. And the music was just like, fuck, early Black we’re not English oi. We’re into Discharge.” Yaotl: That drummer was sick. Flag and all that—“Nervous Breakdown” Then at that time Bean was our manager, who Jimmy: He kind of had that Lucky Lehrer with Keith. All those recordings, it’s just became Aztlan Underground’s D.J. He was (the very animated original drummer of the like, wow, that angst, you know? Pretty soon very good at contacting Flipside, contacting Circle Jerks) thing going, with his fucking Minor Threat emerged. We were all wearing Maximum Rock’n’roll, and he got a hold of head and hands flying and shit. the X (the “X” scrawled on the back of the (Bay Area peace punk band) Crucifix. So by Todd: So did some of you guys work at hand in marker, which originally demarcated ‘83 we were staying with Crucifix up in San Magic Mountain? [laughter] underage concert attendees, was appropriated Francisco and playing with them at Cathay Yaotl: [laughs] Why do you have to bring that by Minor Threat and the Washington D.C. De Grande (a defunct Hollywood punk club), up? Yeah, I worked there at Magic Mountain 36 JAVIE MARTINEZ

(L to R) Bulldog, Yaotl and Ralo, Fermin Muguruza tour, Irun, Basque Country 1999 JEFF TSUJI

Yaotl, at Roots Factory, Barrio Logan in San Diego, 2012 / Bulldog at the Opium Den, Hollywood, 1998

[laughs]. I wore skippers with bell-bottoms what happened was that I started stepping out being Chicano or native and knowing my and a white sailor hat. [laughs] of punk rock and started listening to more street culture—because growing up and being Jimmy: “Ahoy matey, get on the fucking punk, and I really got into The Oppressed, a skinhead I’d hang out with a lot of more roller coaster.” who really shifted me to thinking with an anti- white skins—I only knew maybe a couple Peps: That’s like that second wave of punk, fascist skinhead or oi frame of mind and really of Chicano guys who were skinheads. So I right? Second or third wave. politicized me on that level. It was punk rock, really got discriminated against either way. Jimmy: Yeah, that would’ve been the first but still political and real conscious. But I always knew I was native, growing up wave of hardcore right there. So I kind of broke away from punk rock in that culture, and that just really made me Todd: 1980-1982. and seeing everyone trying to step into the branch out more and more from there. Peps: Because, for myself, I came in the punk rock identity—because it was still kind Jimmy: Both of you kind of touch on it: third wave, within the third wave. of young, even in our ‘hoods at that time. And it’s interesting that back then—especially Jimmy: Mid 1980s, right? maybe getting to know you guys (referring to the first early few waves—that for our Peps: Yeah. Jimmy) growing up, you guys were some of generation and the generations I’d say up Jimmy: I remember we were both into the my mentors. I just kind of stepped into punk until the early 1990s, punk rock not only skinhead thing back then. What was it that rock and skinhead elements, and from there I opened you up musically to all these weird attracted you to that particular subgenre? started getting more conscious of skinhead oi ideas but also politically and culturally. Peps: We all kind of come from punk rock and Jamaican skinhead ska and stuff. These ideas just started floating around, and and were politicized by it—Subhumans, But I think The Oppressed and the 4- I don’t see that that happens quite as often Crass, even Rudimentary Peni. But then also Skins really uplifted me in a lot of ways. anymore. You mentioned MDC. I remember we were really inspired by MDC, but as soon And then again you look at A Clockwork reading MDC records and you open them up as Suicidal stepped in, that kind of killed it Orange and you get all “ultra-violent,” and and you’re listening to the music and you’re for me, man. I would always have a lot of are listening to The Last Resort’s “Violence like, “Yeah!” But then you start reading the issues with that, because being a small guy in our Minds.” But also you realize on a fucking thing. and going to shows and just getting picked more political sense how Crass kind of Yaotl: Yeah, definitely. on, you know? pushed the envelope, pushing against the Jimmy: The Multi-Death Corporations EP, I Jimmy: Yeah, white fools dressed like status quo of society. remember reading that. cholos. [laughs] But the 4-Skins and The Oppressed Peps: Yeah and opening up the poster and Peps: And me, dark-skinned or whatever. But really uplifted me in a lot of ways, especially seeing the information on El Salvador and JAVIE MARTINEZ

the Contras and the Sandinistas, and we’re do that?” Every time they’d see me, I’d hear, education comes through music. Punk rock like, “Whoa, what’s going on here?” “Here comes Peps. He’s gonna talk his shit. saved my life, straight out, one hundred Jimmy: That picture of those kids with the Here he comes again.” But, hey, I was just percent, through and through. I was blessed to acid on their faces, and then reading that there to pose those questions, you know? come across four bars on a book. I needed it. those responsible were funded and trained by Yaotl: I think the landscape was so ultra- It was just some medicine and it led us down the CIA. All of that just kind of opens you up. conservative, like a 1980s version of Father the path. By that time in , though, it I’d never heard of Sandinistas prior to that, Knows Best—if any kids out there don’t was already turning into post-punk. So you outside of that being the title of a Clash record. know what that is, it’s a black and white had positive punk (“positive punk” was an I mean, you grow up with “communism is nuclear family, tight and clean American early name for what became the early wave bad,” but you never really learned about any dream kind of trip—it was just so sanitized of England’s wing of “goth” culture), stuff of that stuff, and the horrible stuff we were compared to what was really going in the like Southern Death Cult, , responsible for. It was interesting that that world, and yet punk rock was like a beacon of and shit like that. Southern Death Cult, with resonated with you guys as well. light, an oasis of truth. It was so invigorating their lyrics, you’re like, “Whoa.” You can tell Peps: It just opened up your mind and made and empowering and you were like “Damn I they were conscious with “Fat Man” and all you really focus on certain real issues that are gotta do something!” And it was even more that. We were all schooled by Crass—you going on, even in our own communities. I mean for me. know, centralized power structure, reading yeah, we weren’t in total war in the barrios, or I internalized the idea of being a punk about Peter Kropotkin and Bakunin because civil war, like in El Salvador, but we were still rocker, because then you even see how the of the pamphlets that come in the records. dealing with low-intensity warfare that was whole working class movement—even Peps: They were educational tools. happening in our own neighborhoods. though The Ramones allegedly came from Yaotl: That was the first internet network Todd: It still is happening. the middle class—the brashness and then the of information. Peps: And still continues. But it was real whole interchange between the Sex Pistols Todd: I would even say that it’s even better relative to those issues, because a lot of my and , but it was also based on this than the internet in certain ways, because in friends were still caught up in the gangster idea, as marketed as it was, on this angst that such isolation, you’re kind of unprepared trip. I’d come around and try to school them: was going on amongst working class youth and you’re looking at it, like, “Holy shit, this “Why are we killing each other? We’re in England and over here. really makes a lot of sense.” And the great brown against brown, killing the other streets So you start having an analysis of things thing with punk rock is it repeats a lot, it down. Don’t you know that they want us to you’re not getting in high school. Your real really gets nailed to your head.

39 JAVIE MARTINEZ

(L to R) Rudy, Javier (friend of the band), Yaotl and Bean with Comandante Tacho of EZLN and comandancia, International Conference for Humanity and Against Neoliberalism, La Realidad, Chiapas, Mexico, 1996 Yaotl: I remember when I bought my first me and I looked at it and on the cover was a coming from like [in a high-pitched voice] “I Crass record, Shaved Women, and I put it on picture of a little kid holding up a picture of want to go to this show”—he had real crickets the turntable and I was alone—even though Jesus in front of a Christmas tree and it said, glued to his whole body, naked with a trench I’m not Catholic, I still have that Catholic “Jesus, I hate him and I want him dead.” coat, big ass dick hanging. I was like, “Fuck sensibility in the back of my head—I [Everyone laughs] I was in a hardcore it! This is crazy! Fuck yeah!” remember putting on “Reality Asylum,” and Catholic family and I was like, “Fuck.” Peps: It’s like Nervous Gender. I saw it was like “I shit on Christ, Christ fuck you So I of course had to listen to it and it was them, too. It was just shocking the hell out Christ” [laughs]. I didn’t know what to do. weird angular music, totally different from of you, that you’re like, “What the fuck is Jimmy: I think every punk has a story like the JFA thing, and it kind of opened my going on here?” that. Mine was Feederz. They put out that mind up in a whole different way. But, even Jimmy: Everything was so extreme and Jesus EP. listening to the words of “Jesus Entering the politics were so extreme that eventually Peps: Oh, Feederz! [laughs] from the Rear,” (“We nailed you to a cross you find your way somewhere in the middle Todd: “Jesus Entering from the Rear.” / but you’re still a fucking pain / dead 2000 but, yeah, there were all these bands that Jimmy: I bought that and the first JFA EP, years / still can’t get it through your brain / were pushing in all these directions. I mean and this is when you mailed shit off and then you’re just a worthless corpse / you’re just a the gay thing was being pushed so far, the like six weeks later you’d forgotten that you pile of shit / give me a couple of nails / and feminist thing was being pushed so far, right- ordered it and then it magically appeared in I’ll ventilate your pit…”) dude, it gave you wing politics and left-wing politics…. your mailbox because it took so long to get chills because it was full-on blasphemy. Yaotl: And you see the race thing, because there. My dad got the record first… Yaotl: It’s funny you say The Feederz, where I grew up, it was like racial polemics. Todd: [laughs] Little Jimmy did not get because that first show I went to, who was But to go to a punk show, there was no that record. opening up for ? The Feederz, racial shit—although here and there you’ll Jimmy: I got home from school, I walk into dude. That dude had a bald head… hear “wetback” this or “nigger” that. the door and he’s pissed off and he goes, “I Todd: Frank Discussion Then Bad Brains, a lot of the bands were don’t care about this one,” and he hands me Yaotl: …and he had a see-through trench coat, brown, like Circle One, the Stains, it was the JFA. “But this piece of shit, it’ll be out completely naked—big ass dick, dude. That like everything dissolved. It was like a new of this house by the end of the day or I’ll fucker that had a big-ass fucking schlong. world was possible. beat the shit out of you.” And he hands it to [laughs] That fool had crickets—imagine just Peps: Even in like little small bubbles. Jimmy: Some have said that the punk rock I’ll fucking get out this truck and I’ll beat was like, “What the fuck is that?” “Well, it’s thing kind of replaced the race thing, or your fucking ass. Stop! What are ya?!” because they talk about this and that.” My culture thing, for them… Todd: How do you answer? [Laughs] father said, “Well, fucker, you’re an Indian.” Todd: On its best days. Jimmy: Disco! [Laughs] “What the fuck?” I started crying. Jimmy: So you guys didn’t really have many Yaotl: He told us, “You look like a bunch of Jimmy: Did he tell you (referencing a line problems as far as being people of color in faggots to me, motherfuckers.” from one of Aztlan Underground’s songs), the punk scene? Jimmy: Yeah, there was a lot of that. “You’re indigenous and you don’t even Yaotl: Other than the punk gangs, that’s Peps: For myself, even growing up with know”? [Everyone laughs] where shit like that would go down. punk rock and all that racial tension, even Yaotl: So then these young bucks— this Peps: LADS (Los Angeles Death Squad) among our Mexican bros, the lighter skin was the post-Iconoclast time for us, like and shit. and the dark skin, it still goes down like ‘85—called The Wankers out of Pasadena, Yaotl: Yeah, LADS are from West Valley, that always. Doren and this other guy. They created so they’d bring in stupid-ass shit like that. Jimmy: Yeah, that’s something not a lot of this wannabe Chumbawumba kind of little Then skinheads coming around, shit like people talk about. There’s a caste system group, and we’re talking about situationist that. Other than that, it was just kind of the within our own culture. anarchism and stuff like that. So, because of residue of the normalcy. That’s why I like Peps: Yeah, that was my experience at least groups like Southern Death Cult and because Mad Men, because it shows the 1950s/1960s within those early racist elements. of the transitioning of the music, I started and the shit they show in that is what the Jimmy: You could put it on the other end, jamming out with them and then became part 1970s/1980s was still a little bit like. It was too, because while he was dealing with white of The Wankers. still normal to say “nigger,” still normal to boys doing that shit, we were dealing with During that time we started doing say “wetback.” There was still that residue. It our own people doing that shit. industrial stuff. We would do sixty-minute was dissolving, but there was still tension. Peps: That’s what I’m saying. It’s just so pieces where we would put all the songs Jimmy: Phrases like “Dude, that’s so gay,” ironic, right? together, and they would never stop. It’s kind Yaotl: Exactly. So it was there but it wasn’t Todd: Who’s more indigenous than whom? of what AUG does now, too. We had visuals like, “Fuck you, I’m going to beat you up Peps: Or not even that, not even recognizing back in those days, Super-8 images in slow- because you’re a beaner” type shit. It wasn’t our indigenous heritage, because they’re so mo and visuals in the back and we’d have like that. The parents were like that, not the white, or Spanish, or whatever they thought performance art and we would have a theme. kids, or at least that I experienced. I think they were. We started playing every six months and we that, for me, was an empowering glimpse Jimmy: With their big Chihuahua accents started building a following. In fact, L.A. of what could be. Because I grew up being and still saying, “We’re Spanish.” But also I Weekly started talking about us. Even though beat up for being brown, by Oklahomans was thinking in terms of being punk rockers we only played every six months we became who were raised in Sylmar. Sylmar was a in East L.A. We got hunted down, chased, this multimedia event. place where the Dust Bowl refugees came to fucking bottled. I remember standing at a It was during that time that I became from Arkansas and Oklahoma, so they were corner in Montebello getting egged by people aware that I was indigenous and I ran into picking in the fields and they’d still have yelling “ faggot.” a flyer that had the Four Directions symbol that mentality. They’d call me a half-breed. I Todd: Devo? [Laughs] with Aztec dancers and John Trudell was didn’t know what that meant. It was because Jimmy: That was the go-to. If it looked speaking. So I went and I saw these Aztec they were from Oklahoma and they viewed weird, it was “Devo.” dancers perform and right away I asked if I me as brown and they were like, “You’re a Peps: You guys were wearing those hats could be a part of them. I ended up being in half-breed, motherfucker.” I’d walk down again. [Everyone laughs] the Aztec dance group and The Wankers. the same fucking street and they’d beat me Jimmy: Unfortunately, I never had one of So, around ‘86-‘88, every six months up every fucking day. Then, the parents and those hats and I always wanted one, too. I we’d still do The Wankers. I started teachers were racist. But in punk, there was figured if I was going to get fucked with, I transitioning into indigenous consciousness. an oasis of, “Yeah it’s still here a little bit, but might as well wear it, you know? I felt it was an extension of—or flowering of not like, ‘Fuck you.’” Todd: You might as well wear it for a while, punk—of what the music gave us. By ‘88, Jimmy: It wasn’t so overt. proud, on your head. I was a college student and so I remember Yaotl: Yeah, there were black punks with Jimmy: Do you know when there was a time having a party—I guess I misspoke because white girls, brown punks with white girls or for you or as a scene where it started to kind that’s when the racism amongst the punk vice versa. But in the regular world it was of shift from the backyard punk thing to what scene emerged. like, “What? You’re going out with a black came later—or if you even thought there was To me, I felt they were both the same— dude?” And that was even punk rock. It was a shift? the fact that I could invite these Chicano punk rock to mix. Even the gay question— Yaotl: When it kind of just got faded, consciousness students from Northridge everything was punk rock—it just added you mean? and I would have a party with my post-punk to that. On top of that, I remember me and Todd: No, it’s a transition because, well— consciousness friends who were fighting my friend Tony walking down my street. I explain your name to people. So there was a against apartheid and were anti-vivisection had my hair blue or something, and he had transition from what we understand as punk and pro-anarchism and anti-death squads. a mohawk and on the shaved side he had a rock and then there is a definite shift where Well, Doren—who was from The Wankers— marker of the Stains symbol and on the other I think punk rock has caught up to you guys. he shows up and he’s like, “What the fuck side he had markered. You So how are you seeing what other people man? There’s too many lettuce pickers here, have to know that for that time that kind of weren’t seeing and how did you develop dude.” Out of the fucking blue. “We should shit was outrageous. into that? call the fucking paddy wagon.” Jimmy: That was like asking to get beat up. Yaotl: You know what, that’s a good question. Jimmy: You should have said, “Man, there Yaotl: Then one of those Oklahomans, in a You also bring back a crazy in ain’t nobody here from Oklahoma.” truck, a fucking Ford, he was just driving by asking me that. I mentioned Southern Death [Everyone laughs] slow asking “What are ya?” We’re like, “Oh Cult. They were talking about these world Jimmy: Was he high? shit.” [Southern accent] “I said what are ya?” views that were indigenous. I had a Sitting Yaotl: He never took drugs, he was just he asked again. “What are ya? I swear to god Bull poster because of them and my father tripping. He was from South Africa. He’s

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Peps and Bulldog, East Los Angeles College, 1997 Afrikaans. He has that mentality, I guess. [laughter] Death Cult and all of that—but also I think Later on, it turns out he was releasing Charles Todd: Yeah, there’s this other thing called Jim Morrison (lead singer of the Doors) Manson’s records, after Wankers. And the “class” that we could get into later. kind of brought elements of that. I was like, cover has a swastika on it. So, fuck dude, my Yaotl: I love that guy, but he’s the guy we “Damn, this guy’s really going into a deeper pacifist days were over, I guess. [laughs] got interviewed about being vegetarian in understanding of conscious elements.” Jimmy: Stomp that motherfucker. Maximum Rock’n’roll…. Jimmy: That flirtation with Shamanism. Yaotl: Yeah, we began fighting, then other Jimmy: He’s like, “Fuck, I want a Big Peps: Exactly, throwing it out there in that punks started jumping in. But these punks Mac….” way. I think that’s how we (Yaotl) met. We jumped in against him not because of what he Yaotl: So they ask him, “So you’re okay with met through certain people that were doing was saying, but because we were almost—a how they’re about animal liberation?” He’s ceremony, but at the same time Popular hierarchy of like consciousness, of “doper all, “Well I don’t know, they’re going to die Resource Center, where we use to organize than you,” “more conscious than you,” anyway.” [laughter] down on Avenue 57 and Figueroa (Popular motherfuckers. Doren was passing judgments Yaotl: [laughs] Hey Nick, I love you man. Resource Center was a Highland Park on these heads, so when they see him getting So we had a blowout, and he kicked me out collective heavily influenced by the Zapatista into it with a homeboy, they jumped in. It because we used to practice at his pad. Then movement in Mexico that hosted events and was on, like a little brawl. Don did his own thing. Don actually wrote organized activist actions in the mid-‘90s). This other dude, Tim, told me, “You’re part of “We Didn’t Cross the Borders.” The I had a friend, Raul Baltazar, who is an the same as me, man. You’re the same as me first verse is Don, all his. That’s actually Don artist. At the time, I was painting more than and you’re acting better than me.” from Iconoclast, truth be told. playing music. I was playing with Jerry Rios I told him, “Hey, that’s fucked up. Fuck Jimmy: You always thought of Aztlan at the time with the Peace Pills (a late ‘80s/ you. That’s racist.” Underground as a musical extension of what early ‘90s East L.A. punk band. Jerry, a.k.a. “And you’re saying to me, ‘Why am I you were doing before? You never really “Blast,” was their guitarist. Other members acting this way’?” he said. thought that it was kind of different? went on to form the core of the band Ollin), “Why am I acting this way? You’re Yaotl: No. I felt that they thought it was and all them and I was jamming with him. coming out like this,” I said. something different, but I didn’t. He never got politicized through punk rock. It was like a punk brawl. After that, all the Peps: They couldn’t really relate to it, I guess. Even though he knew it was political, he punks left and all the Chicanos were asking Jimmy: Did you ever find a way out of it too? never really embraced it… what was going on. So we deflected shit that Peps: What really kind of brought me to Jimmy: He went more into the rockabilly could’ve gone down and the next day I get embrace it even more—because, again, kind of thing. all these fucking messages of reverse racism growing up knowing I’m native, looking at Peps: But even if he was into MDC, he didn’t from all my punk homies, like Ron from my grandmother—my uncle used to always really look at the lyrics like us, opening up the Naturecore. At that point, I could have joined take us to powwows, or even just like have poster and, “Whoa, what’s going on?” With the Nation of Islam approach and be like, feathers or certain things when we grew up. him, it was more like “No, no, whatever.” It “White devil!” I knew I was native. I didn’t start embracing was just punk rock shocking. So, coming out But that’s when I did split. They even it really until MDC brought certain things of the PRC, I met my friend Raul. He brought called me Guacamole Head and all this out. They started doing a lot of benefits me in as an artist and we started having art bullshit. They would say shit like that. Before for Big Mountain. (In the mid-‘80s, MDC shows. We did a benefit for Chiapas at the this happened, they would say little shit like focused their attention on the battle between time when it was really first fresh, early in that and I’d be, “Hey dude, that’s racist, bro.” the local indigenous population of Black ‘94 during the uprising. Somehow they asked “Oh dude, you know we’re joking.” Mesa, also known as “Big Mountain,” and me to sing some native songs and when I “You’re joking? How is that funny? the efforts of the United States-backed coal stepped up, Yaotl was right there with me and That’s funny to you, not to me.” mining companies that sought to forcibly I asked him, “Hey man, why don’t you help So weird little shit like that. I would relocate them, a fight that continues.) I play the drum and I’ll sing?” address it and then it culminated into this started really looking deeper in there and Yaotl: Yeah, Rudy was like “Hey dude, he big blowout. After that, I did disassociate. really finding out, ”You know what? I have wants you to play drum, you down to play All this shit we fought for—shutting down to let my hair grow again and I have to drum?” “Yeah, okay.” “Play a heartbeat for the city, the “No Business as Usual” protests start being proud of who I am,” and really me?” Peps asked. We met literally on stage, for the Olympics (Los Angeles was the site coming back to that. performing. I think that’s an amazing way to of the 1984 Olympic Games), we fought At age seventeen, I met this Apache meet. That was the first exchange together. skinheads, for what? You’re on the same brother who brought me into a sweat lodge Peps: At the time, you get all hardcore, white supremacist shit. and all these different ceremonies. I was part kind of like punk rock you get—not Nazi To me, at that point, it was the same shit, of this inter-tribal organization called “Iron about it…. because it’s all resistant culture, you feel me? Circle Nation” and from that point on I really Jimmy: You jump all the way into it. It’s all critical thinking, and it’s okay. But stepped into the ceremonial elements and Peps: Yeah, you jump all the way in. that incident made me go, “Fuck that shit, really started embracing it more. The first Todd: It’s fresh and new. man. We’re Aztlan Underground.” time—you know you’re native, you know Jimmy: I think that’s what I was getting at Nick Hansen of Iconoclast was actually where you come from, you know where your with the question. You remember me, dude. in Aztlan Underground initially, but we family comes from, but it’s not until you step I was a fucking little crazy, maniacal fucking didn’t call ourselves that. We called ourselves into the sweat lodge, at least for me, it was drunk, skinhead punk rock dude. Then I got E.S.L, Escuche Sonidos Logicos, and the last like, “Damn, I’m home. I’ve been looking for bored of listening to thrash all the time and vocalist in Iconoclast, Don Del Valle, was in this. Where has this been? Why has this been started listening to Billie Holiday and all Aztlan Underground with Bean and me. kept away from me?” this other shit, and you just kind of find your But then Nick started tripping—and he’s That really made me question all of that way out. In our case in Butt Acne, it was the half-Mexican—because I was like, “We need and how we were brought up and how there are beginnings of the whole Chicano thing for us to assert our rights and let everybody have missing pieces. Because my grandma would as musicians. Scott (Rodarte, /vocalist the rights, have the opportunities.” do certain things or say certain things that for Butt Acne, and a core member of the band And he goes “Man, I’m a car washer and you’d catch and you wouldn’t really associate Ollin) wrote a ranchera that we used to do. It I’m in downtown L.A. and see brown people them as being native or indigenous—even was like a joke thing that we did. We would in suits, man. They’re better off than us, us with the food we are eating and so on. As time say, “We’re just another band from East white people….” progressed, I really started embracing more L.A.” and we’d play this ranchera thing at the I’m like “Fool, you’re half-Mexican.” and more—and part of listening to Southern beginning of our set. The first time we played 43 at East Los Angeles College, we played for the self-titled album. We realize the hard put it all together, it sounds sonically like battle of the bands and all the Mechistas truth that, trying to transition them, you a whole piece. (members of Movimient Estudiantil Chicanos can’t just stop the old stuff. That’s why Jimmy: It sounds like a collage piece. It’s de Aztlan, or “MEChA”) were out there and now we’re playing with some of the old got all these different parts but together they I said, “This song is called ‘Pancho Villa stuff a little bit mixed in and people are make something larger. Killed White People’.” [laughs] all into it. But we also got the self-titled Peps: Definitely, especially that long last The whole fucking places starts laughing with the newer stuff. It’s like us going to song. We think we even hit the “Kashmir” and cheering, right? But that was our first go see Black Flag and not hearing “Jealous timing, you know? [laughs] I mean, seriously, step out. The funny thing is, a few years later, Again” or something. I think even a little bit past “Kashmir,” right? Scott and his brother Randy, who was in Fish Jimmy: You’ve got those gateways that got [laughs] Head, moved up north to Berkeley for a year those people there in the first place. The thing Jimmy: We’re jumping back a little bit to and, in the meantime, all of a sudden, it was with your sound, too, is the extremes that you the beginning of Aztlan Underground. At this like all of these kids who were all in the guys have gone from. I mean you started off, particular point, you’re about the only person backyards with us in bands like Subsist, and for a lack of a better term, as a straight hip- who’s original in the band anymore. Golpe de Estado and all these hardcore bands, hop group. Yaotl: From the very first lineup, yeah. are playing in Quinto Sol. All of a sudden the Yaotl: Exactly. Jimmy: How has that gone? Can you start lyrics are the same, the consciousness is the Jimmy: Then that second album comes out from the beginning and talk about where same, we’re all still playing the same fucking and you got more of a rock influence and Aztlan Underground came from and the clubs, but they’re playing . And when now you guys sound like where jazz and philosophies you guys were based on? Randy and Scott came back, we tried doing post-punk get the shit beat out of them by Yaotl: I had the self-discovery epiphany of the Son Jarocho thing. someone with a bad toothache. [laughs] like, “What? I didn’t even know Mexicans Peps: That was the early phases of Ollin in Jimmy: That new album is just straight were indigenous.” That’s how ignorant a way, right? fucking angry. of myself—of ourselves—we were, that Jimmy: Yeah, back then, during that period Peps: It came out of that time. Mexicans were indigenous or had these we were called Aventura, or something like Jimmy: 2009? indigenous roots underlining our identity, that. But the thing was that, all of a sudden, Peps: It came out of all that war and and everything came out of that. After I look around and there were all these everything. being in an Aztec dance crew, we sought to people on the same head trip. I remember Jimmy: It’s funny. It’s like you guys almost create a group—originally it was just Bean we played a show very early on with Aztlan came full circle because it’s about the punkest and myself, and then we hooked up with Underground. There were so many diverse record you’ve put out, sonic-wise. It sounds this Mexican poet who had ended up back- sounds and I’ll never fucking forget the first like you guys were listening to a lot of the stabbing us and did all this stuff. Wait—no, time I saw you guys. It’s like you’re doing Swans early stuff. I’m lying, because before that was Nick on

rap with native drums and flutes and shit, Peps: Yeah, Swans. I love Swans. drums and we were kind of a live trip and and I was like, “Well this is different.” And Jimmy: It’s just angry, dude. It’s funny Don on vocals; me and him on vocals. But again, to me, it was that flowering and that’s because as far as hip-hop goes, there’s not a that lineup never even played anywhere where I was kind of getting to. There was lot of “hip-hop” going on in there. But the once. After that, it was just myself and Bean, this shift and all of a sudden we were still politics are there, the anger is there, and, and Bean tried to get me kicked out [laughs] all doing the same thing, but we are doing it sonically, it’s like soundscapes in a lot of because I was barely starting to learn. with different sounds. ways. Was that intentional or did it just kind Jimmy: Take that, Bean! Twenty years down Todd: I think the best punk rock is a catalyst of end up that way as well? the line, guess who’s in the band and guess for other things, of actually looking inside Peps: I think we always wanted to create a who’s not? [laughter] of you, “Oh, I don’t have to discard part of record—kind of like what you said—like Peps: Rehash, Johnny Rehash…. me, but it’s giving me an opportunity to try the Swans, that lead into each other. A Yaotl: [laughs] I know, Johnny Rehash. new things.” And it keeps you interested, perfect example would be Nine Inch Nails’ [laughs] I’m sorry, dog. too, because I would really hate to be solely Downward Spiral, how it all merged and Peps: Not Johnny Cash, but Johnny Rehash. playing or listening to songs from thirty years meshed together from one to the next and [laughs] ago. As a musician, you’d have to play that you’ve got to listen to it all the way through. Yaotl: Remember that burrito you ate? every day. I find that deadening. Jimmy: It’s a whole piece of art. Jimmy: Back in 1993, you didn’t save me Peps: It’s a hard one. Because, over the years Peps: I mean, you could listen to one single the last piece! of existing as Aztlan Underground, even just song and so on, but when you listen to it Peps: Dude, believe me; this guy is like an playing the older songs, coming back to that all the way through, it really gives a whole elephant! [laughs] I’m not there anymore as a musician. All of a musical journey. Yaotl: But yeah, so he ended up trying to, sudden coming back, you have to like…. Todd: Much more impact. “Yeah, you can’t rap,” because Don had good Jimmy: Tweak it. Yaotl: But it wasn’t like we consciously flow, right? But I’m all “Fuck that.” But then Peps: Yeah, you can tweak it and so on, but at thought of it. It just happened. It was what we wanted to loop shit, and I was trying to the same time we realize that’s our foundation. it was. loop , Psi Com—that’s where Yaotl: We lost a lot of our fan base because Peps: Then when we put it in order. It just “Sacred Circle” came out of— someone who used to be in the band didn’t fell into place that way and it all made and shit. So our only friend in the ‘hood want to play any of the songs we were known sense from one song to the next. But, yeah, who had a computer was Bulldog, known at for, so we stopped completely. somehow we wrote the songs individually. the time as Frank, and he had a—you guys Peps: That’s when the self-titled album (their We had them all recorded. “All right, remember Amiga computers?—and it had a latest release) came out. let’s do the intro,” and then it just kind loop station in it. Yaotl: Because everyone was going to see of merged from that first song and just So we were going to his house and it the old stuff and we were only playing branched to wherever it went. When we turned out he was creating this multi-cultural, 45 hip-hop group. He was half-Irish, half- and we were like that all the way until ‘99, the shit that we were saying. Mexican and his dad was always telling us when Rudy started tripping—I’m sorry, but Jimmy: Yeah, well you’re playing in Basque to study economics and to look at the history that’s the truth. country, you know what I mean? of California, that we had a presence here Jimmy: Rudy decided he wanted to do Peps: Well, it was way before Basque before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. something else. country, right? So when Bean and I started going there, we Yaotl: Yeah, exactly. Yaotl: It’s weird. Spain is surrounded by started discussing—We’re doing this, we’re Peps: We did the Basque Country tour… all these countries in resistance. They had trying to empower people and we want to Jimmy: Tell me the story about that, Galicians, they’re like, “Fuck Spain,” and the bring in Aztec instruments, we want to try because Mark (Torres, D.J. on KPFK’s Catalonians are like, “Fuck Spain.” to show people that they’re indigenous and “Travel Tips through Aztlan” radio Jimmy: The Basque, “Fuck Spain.” that we have a history here, that we’re not program) was mentioning about how you Yaotl: They even gave us a tour of all the wetbacks.” Bulldog would be like, “That’s guys went to visit Columbus’s statue or places of resistance, and the only place that is what my dad always tells me.” So then one something like that. Spain in their eyes, is Madrid. But even them, time we did a beat and then Bulldog started Peps: We went to Valladolid, where he lived, what they call themselves is the Castellanos. to flow, “Hey man, I wrote this thing and his own house and museum now. It has the It’s like, “What the fuck?” Even they’re like, I wanted to see what you think.” Dude, Niña, or the Pinta, in front of his house “Fuck Spain!” So we’re like, “Where the he had the funk, the trunk of funk, man. and shit. We were filming along the tour, fuck is Spain, that all these people are saying Because I was more aggressive punk rock the shows we were having, because Fidel ‘Fuck Spain’?” [Laughter] roots—he was the one who was really the Rodriguez was with us and we just decided, Peps: We went through a lot of trials and anchor of funk. “I’m going to fucking piss on his fucking tribulations at the time too, you know? When Jimmy: He was the MC. You were the soul. doorstep. Fuck it, man. This is for everyone we did the tour, Yaotl lost his voice. Yaotl: Yeah, he was the funk and I was the right here.” [laughs] Even like tagging on Yaotl: Because I had asthma, so my dad fury, and that’s exactly how it happened. When the statue we wrote—what’s that one? In said, “Oh, get the flu vaccine.” So I would we started out—that’s when we emerged to Barcelona, there’s a statue of him pointing always get the flu vaccine. Every year I get doing rallies, because I was already in the towards the Americas and shit. it, and every year I get hella fucking sick, student movement. 1990 was coming up Yaotl: On the shore, but allegedly it’s not like deathly deathbed sick, right? And so I and that was the twentieth anniversary of the even pointing towards the right direction. told him, “Hey, Doctor, I got deathly sick,” Chicano Moratorium. ‘92 was coming up and [laughs] But I’ve got to give it to Peps, and he’s like, “No, that’s impossible, blah that was five hundred years of indigenous though, because he’s afraid of heights, and blah blah, wah wah wah.” resistance, and all these kind of ideas were that shit’s fucking tall, and he’s like, “How Peps: “Wah wah wah.” [laughs] being talked about, these commemorations. am I going to do this?” He’s going up these Yaotl: So then we were about to embark on There were all these students, and we’re stairs all scared and shit. He got up there and the tour and it was spring, so they were like, students and we’re getting paid to go do he fucking fucked it up. “You got to take your shot,” and I go, “All student union gigs and shit at Fresno State, Peps: Yeah, “500 years of indigenous right, I’m going to take it.” I fucking take it, Berkeley, San Diego, ELAC. We only came resistance.” I just fucking wrote it up. bro, and within three days I was fucking like out with the 1992 cassette. That was our first Yaotl: He wanted to do all in the art, you [groaning, dying sounds] [Laughter] And on one and it was a cassingle, right? Remember know the art. the fourth day we had to get on this fucking what all these cost? [laughs] Todd: Got to do it right. [laughs] British Airways plane… Jimmy: $3.99 at Tower Records. Then if Peps: Well the plan, too, even like pissing Peps: Long flight, yes. you recorded over it, you could get the whole on Columbus’s doorstep or whatever, was Yaotl: …and I’m fucking coughing into a D.R.I. album on it. [laughs] that we were going to throw Molotovs at pillow [coughing noises]. I was just fucked Yaotl: Yeah, that was our first release. By his house and we were going to film this, up, dude. And all these [in a British accent], ‘94, then that’s when the Zapatistas rose right, because we were going to put this in “Oh god, can you give him the rubbish bin? and that’s when we were really into them a documentary and so on. We were going to He’s got lots of…” and they’re all staring, and the P.R.C. We officially became Aztlan manipulate the fucking fire and so on and and you could tell all these people were Underground in 1990, but by ‘94 we shit. But we did throw beer bottles at his fucking snobs. became the band. By ‘95, when we came house. But, again, it was like a trip because Jimmy: [in a British/Irish sort of accent] “I out with Decolonize, we were already knowing that we were going to play there say, he’s going to get Mexican on me!” starting to dabble in live stuff and Bean and then, more than anything, saying, “Fuck Yaotl: [in a British accent] “I say he’s going to was the D.J., Bulldog, Peps, Bobby, and Columbus” and everyone was like, “Fuck get us all sick in here.” Dude, when I got there I Rudy were brothers, so we had six people yeah!” Everyone there fucking believed in had no voice. The first place we played—for us

JAVIE MARTINEZ

Yaotl, Peps and Bean with Maori warriors, World Indigenous Arts Conference Traditional and Modern, Adelaide, Australia, 2002 it was 10:30 AM. and for them it was like fucking Peps: He was Mikel Bap from Negu Gorriak Yaotl: And I suffered that shit—imagine midnight. We get there, and our first gig right out (a political underground punk/rock group from thousands of miles from your pad, sick as to playing, and they all smoke, dude…. Basque Country). He was the drummer. fuck. That’s the fucking worst. Peps: You couldn’t even see the crowd, bro. Yaotl: I’ve got to tell this story, dude. So we Peps: And terrible medicine, bro. Like, you Todd: Like the smog line. [laughs] stayed at this fucking hostel, two-story, right? know you can get herbs over here, or tea or Yaotl: [laughs] And where the smog line hit. And I guess that Mikel was getting all sick, some shit. Over there, they give you this I was like “Fuck!” So I’m all trying not to and I guess it’s common for them to say the fucking white powder and you’re like, “What choke on their shit. shit they say, right? Peps was down there, and the fuck?” Not coke but… Peps: Yeah, it was terrible, dude, fuck. Mikel was so sick, he was so pissed, dude, that Jimmy: You’re like, “I’m not sniffing that.” Yaotl: So I was like, “Put me on 10 and he was all, he goes “Me cago en Dios.” Yaotl: And I start telling him—and you put Bulldogs’ on 1 or something, so we’ll So then he comes out, he’s (Peps) there usually rehash this— “Dude, Che Guevara balance,” and you still couldn’t hear my with everyone sitting in front of him, we’re all had fucking asthma, bro, and Che still kept shit. I, literally for the first three gigs, had no upstairs and he goes, “Dude, guys, guys!” stepping in blasting on the enemy, bro.” voice, so I was all quiet and they were like, And we’re like, “What, man?” [laughs] I brought some shit up. “Fuck this fucker.” They were literally mad He’s all, “Dude, he said ‘I shit on Peps: I know, dude. He’s all trying to fucking at me. And I couldn’t tell them, “I hate you.” God.’”[laughter] check me on that, like “Revolutionary Check.” I couldn’t talk. Peps: Like, “shit on the creator,” bro. By that Todd: On the sickness that he gave you. Peps: But we were just fucking with him, time, when you’re being all spiritual and shit, [laughs] because he was always that outspoken guy. the Creator is sacred. Peps: And I’m like, “Fuck. Relax, bro.” That’s the beauty of Yaotl. He says what no Jimmy: And he’s just talking this crazy shit. Jimmy: “San Martin had pneumonia and he one wants to say; he just slid on you, right? Peps: Yeah, fool, he was just laying it on, fucking went out there!” But that time he couldn’t talk and everyone like, “I shit on God.” Yaotl: [laughs] Hey it worked, right? was like, “Fuck you man!” And everything Jimmy: He’s like “I want to hit him, but I Peps: …so I’m all like, “All right, you wanted to tell him, you could tell him don’t know; I can’t.”[laughs] motherfuckers! Fuck it, let’s do this.” right there and then. Yaotl: So that shit was hilarious. Then he Jimmy: Fucking fainting and shit. Jimmy: “I dare you to say something back.” (Peps) was all on his deathbed by the last of Peps: Dude, it was terrible. Yaotl: By the end of the tour, even the tour the third day. It was a nine-day tour. Yaotl: But you handled it, fool, like a warrior! manager—dude, the tour manager, he’s Peps: Everyone was all sick. This guy is all Come out and play-ay! [Quoting a famous Basque right—and he’s all “Estos niños, healthy, all fucking skipping and shit. line from movie The Warriors] nos trayeron la plaga,” basically saying Jimmy: He’s like, “I feel like doing a [laughter] that these, “Fucking Indians brought us the Springsteen four-hour set, man!” Peps: I’m sorry. We can kind of get off into fucking disease!” [Laughs] Yaotl: In the next song, he’s all like, “Hey this shit. Peps: “You guys first, fucker.” bro, Peps wants to talk to you.” Jimmy: It’s all right, dude. Jimmy: You guys just brought it back. I’m all, “What? C’mere.” Peps: From pissing on Columbus to this. Yaotl: They would say, “No somos los I’m all, “What the fuck?” Españoles.” They’re not the conquistadors, “I can’t go on bro, I can’t go on….” the Spaniards, you know? Peps: Shit was heavy, bro. Seriously, Part II, continued in issue 84. Todd: “Don’t get us sick.” [laughs] dude. My fucking body shut down. It was Yaotl: But then when it came down to it, he fucked up. I didn’t know how I was going got sick and he actually left the fucking tour. to do that show.

49 by Rishbha Bhagi illustrations Simon Sotelo layout GRAY = ILLUSTRATIONBecky Bennett PLACEMENT

So… What Are You? “So… what are you?” to you? And, of course, no answer that I gave to their question would suffice. I would tell people I’m Canadian and hear, “No, where are If I had a penny for every time I heard that question, I’d be you really from?” a millionaire. Now how am I supposed to answer that? I. Am. Canadian. It’s one thing being an immigrant, but being a second- It says so on my passport, on my birth certificate, on all my legal generation immigrant is a whole different beast. My parents documents. But, apparently, only white people live in Canada, so came to Canada in the 1970s from India, and I will never ever I’m not a “real” Canadian. People wanted to hear me say that I’m understand the hardships, struggles, and blatant racism that they Indian, but I’m really not. You think people in India would consider went through to build their life there. My parents worked their me “Indian”? Hell no. They’d have a lot of names for me, but “Indian” asses off to give me and my siblings an awesome life, and what’s would not be one of them. People from India are Indians. I’m from even more impressive is that they actually succeeded. My dad Canada, so I’m Canadian. How is this difficult to understand? would always go off on his, “I came to this country with three But people are so caught up in race and ethnicity, in stereotypes dollars in my pocket…” speeches and and categorizations, that they don’t although I’d roll my eyes when he’d start, even realize they’re being low-key I know deep down how much respect I racist. Coming at someone you don’t have for him and my mom. That takes even know and asking “What are a kind of strength and courage that few you?” is racist. Regardless of the North American citizens will ever know. fact that it’s a painfully stupid thing My father traveled to the other side of to ask generally, you’re basically the planet, speaking a different language, saying, “Hey, you don’t fit in here so walked into a completely different culture explain yourself to me. Explain what your ethnicity is because you don’t and country that he had never experienced, belong here.” Having to deal with barely even heard of before, with literally that question, having to explain your three fucking dollars in his pocket, and ethnicity to people for literally your against all odds and absolutely no support entire life gets really old, really fast. system, he successfully built a life and a I’d hear the most fucked up shit. family there. There is nothing more punk “Do you have an easier name?”, rock than that. My Dad embodied the “You’re vegetarian? Is it because punk rock ethos and he didn’t even know of your religion?”, “Oh wow, you it. If he did know it, he didn’t care. don’t look Indian at all!” That last But, ultimately, his experiences are comment especially does my head in. vastly different from mine and my siblings. Anyone care to explain to me what a My parents know what they are and where “typical” Indian looks like? There are they’re from—they’re Indian citizens who over a billion people on the Indian are now Canadian citizens. But I was born subcontinent, which goes all the way in Canada. I’m Canadian. I’m Western. I’m up to the Himalayan Mountains and North American. That crazy culture that all the way down to near the equator. my dad walked into from halfway around There are Indians that are blacker the world? That’s the culture that I’m made than black people and Indians that out of. There is literally a culture shock are whiter than white people. So between me and my parents. This would just because your dumb ass knows explain why in high school, when I did all everything you know about Indians the stupid shit I did (let’s just say I really I’d hear the most fucked through Apu from The Simpsons, put the “high” in high school), my parents you think that every single one of freaked out a lot more than my white friends’ up shit. “Do you have an those billion people look the same? parents did. I never understood why they’d I’ve always had an eccentric freak out, and they didn’t understand why easier name?” group of friends and acquaintances I didn’t just keep my head down and go to and in hanging out with so many school. The clash between what I wanted and what was expected different types of people, I began to notice similarities and patterns wasn’t just in a superficial sense—it was in a cultural sense. If I between how people behaved and how they self-identified, especially went against my parents, I wasn’t just disrespecting them, I was in a subcultural sense. It sounds obvious, no doubt, but what I didn’t disrespecting my culture. realize until then was how deep this connection went. But which culture? Shit’s complicated. Belonging to a subculture can influence beliefs held, clothes worn, I didn’t even have it that bad, to be honest. My parents are hella styles sought after, behavioral tendencies, biases and opinions, political cool and non-traditional, so it’s not like they were telling me and my views, attractions to others, future paths and career , and much siblings that we had to be engineers or doctors or anything. But they more. For example, all the punks I was familiar with were similar in still, as typical Asian parents do, held education in the highest regard. their personalities—critical thinkers, consciously went against the I flirted with getting expelled from high school, which shocked and mainstream, socially and politically aware, worked at jobs that didn’t disoriented my parents. My mom was a Ph.D. in Literature and bring in a lot of money, but were noble in their cause (activism, working Linguistics and her daughter could barely even finish high school— with homeless people, working at women’s shelters, etc.). she obviously wasn’t very impressed with me. My close friends all saved up to buy designer clothes, watched What made things worse was that the discord I felt between me mainstream movies, went to the hottest clubs, bought the trendiest and my parents bled into my social life, my Western life. Being a gadgets, and wanted to date people who had money (if they were second-generation immigrant and looking the way I do made me girls) or big butts (if they were guys). Me? I’ve never even owned realize at a very young age that a majority of people in the world are anything designer in my life or worked at a major corporation. I can’t a special kind of stupid. Ignorant in the original sense of the word. even remember the last movie I saw and I’ve been to three clubs my From a young age, I’ve been having random people come up to me entire life. I just recently entered the 21st century and got a proper and demand, “What are you?” I would be so caught off guard. I mean, smart phone. As for dating, I just wanted a pro-marijuana dude with excuse me? Who are you and why do I have to justify my existence a green mohawk—that was literally my only criteria. Even that—my 51 taste in dudes—was influenced by punk. I was never attracted to a guy making tons of money, working for some big corporation. Corporations are evil and I don’t give a shit about money. Is that why I was drawn to punk? Or is punk why I think like that? “Fuck It All, Just Do You.”

People’s obsession with ethnicity, categorizing people, and only thinking in stereotypes fascinates me. Identity is hard enough to find as it is, but when you’re literally told by every person around you that you’re not enough of this and not enough of that, that you’ll never be this and you’ll never be that, it’s a million times more difficult. I’m not Indian enough for my parents, but I’m not Western enough for North American society. No one will accept me calling myself Canadian, but on the other side of the world, no one will accept me calling myself Indian. Because of this exile from the mainstream society, I identified with punk, the subculture that says, “Fuck it all, just do you.” But even in that subculture, in Vancouver in the early 2000s, I wasn’t accepted by anyone other than the fellow brown chick I showed up with. I wasn’t white enough. I listen to other types of music (I love hip hop), so I wasn’t “punk” enough. So where am I supposed to go? How am I supposed to find my own identity? I’m lucky enough to be genuinely part of two cultures, but when neither of them accepts me, and when the culture I chose to integrate myself into doesn’t accept me, then what am I? My identity was tied directly with my experience in subcultures. For growing up in a city that claims to be oh so multicultural, I experienced mind- boggling forms of racism. I’d go to punk shows and be the only non-white person there. I, of course, didn’t care about this, because I’m normal. What the hell do I care how much melanin you have in your body? But I learned that nobody there was about that life. At literally every punk show I went to, I would try to start conversations with the white kids, only to have them look me up and down like I was a freak show fugitive and walk away without saying a word. It didn’t take long to notice that the white kids only talked to the other white kids. They weren’t interested in me—and why would they be? They were “punks.” They wanted to stand out in specific ways, but I stood out more just by being non-white, and obviously that didn’t fly well with them. Nobody was blatantly racist to me—it was way subtle. When I would talk to people of other ethnicities about punk bands, I would hear things like, “But you’re brown. Shouldn’t you like hip hop?” This confused the shit out of me. Ethnicity dictates the music you listen to? What in the neo-colonial hell? Even though I was being ridiculously rejected from the punk community in my city, I still identified with punk. Why should I stop liking punk just because I’m being marginalized by its followers? I may not be Indian enough or Western enough or punk enough, but what punk rock told me was that all of that is okay because who gives a shit? That’s why I appreciate punk. Not because I found a community in it, necessarily, but because it taught me that I didn’t need one. That I can be me, be a part of so many differently types of cultural communities, and that I didn’t need to change a thing. Besides, I had hope that there were intelligent people beyond my lame city, and once I Hip hop came finished school, I went searching for them. When I finished my Bachelor’s degree, I went to California and spent from struggles and time in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In San Francisco, I went to a punk show at some random warehouse. I was nervous because I was used to being injustices, embraced a pariah at punk shows. Surprisingly, I felt a huge sense of relief because the venue was filled with Mexicans. As funny as it sounds, seeing Mexicans the DIY ethos, and everywhere assured me I was in the right place because hey, they’re brown and I’m brown—albeit a different kind—so they must be cool. Sure enough, was meant to uplift my experience at that show was different from what I was used to. People were nice, they smiled at me, they approached me, actually conversed with a community of me. I was shocked. Not all punks were racist dicks—who knew?! So what was different? Well, I was in a different country, in a big city. A marginalized people. real city. The show I went to was more ethnically diverse than the shows I was used to. People seemed more open and more mature, almost. That experience taught me that although subcultures like punk may be called the same thing and associated with the same beliefs all over the world, geography plays a huge part in how these subcultures actually manifest. Geography, ethnicity, population—these things continually change the makeup of a subculture and are constantly in a flux. So on top of that, where do second-generation immigrants like me fit in? I decided to try and answer these questions when I came down to Los Angeles in 2012 to do my Master’s degree in Communications. Since we live in a continent made up of some of the most multicultural societies in the world, it’s important to bring awareness to what some of our fellow citizens are going through and how racism can pervade so many aspects of our society. Subcultures in the Tiniest Nutshell Ever

Love your subculture? You can thank Hades for that. In the sixteenth century, criminal underworlds meshed together to create a sub-society of sorts, We ultimately want made up of people who preferred to live on the edges of societal acceptance instead of conforming to what was seen to be “normal.” Because of this, the like-minded people to history and foundation of subcultures is directly tied to criminal behavior and social deviancy. Put it this way—if it wasn’t for some gangbanging bank create communities robbers in the 1500s, we wouldn’t have the punk scene. By the time the nineteenth century rolled around, these fringe sub- with, even if those societies became synonymous with the concept of “youth.” Young people rebelling against their parents and what society expected from them became communities are the face of subcultures in general. At this point, the underworld-inspired gang mentality that the concept of subcultures grew out of had transformed going against the into a bona fide community structure. Subcultures became a means to create communities of people who shared similar beliefs in what they liked, what they aspired to be, what they wore, what they supported—everything. mainstream. Subcultures are fluid. They rebel against the mainstream, but “mainstream” is different everywhere. Even though a subculture may have one name that it’s recognized worldwide, it’s practiced differently in different places, which resulted in my different experiences at punk shows in different cities. Subcultures are personifications of stereotypes, both the ones they are rebelling against and the ones that they’re creating in the process of revolt. They’re made up of like-minded people who share a particular set of beliefs, values, and preferences, and this is clearly seen in the case of music subcultures. Subtle as it is, music is super important in providing the tools needed for creating an identity. Eventually, music subcultures become co-opted into the mainstream. We’ve all seen this with virtually every genre of music. What this does is take away from the fundamental value system that the subculture came out of. This waters down the subculture’s opposition to the mainstream. It waters down the elements of identity, community, and beliefs the subculture originally grew from. The three main cruxes of punk were to be anti-conformity, anti- capitalist, anti-mainstream. But when the mainstream swallowed punk up, it shat out the most superficial aspects of punk. Punk became “punk.” The underlying, fucked up message: You don’t have a five-foot purple mohawk and aren’t wearing overpriced clothes from Hot Topic, while pretending to be a homeless squeegee kid? Well, you’re not a punk, then. …And Out Come the Culture Vultures

What I wanted to do was see what, if any, kind of relationship there was between second-generation kids and subcultures. I wanted to see if other second-generation immigrants had the same experiences and beliefs as me, even though we’d be from different cultures. I talked to eight second- generation immigrants—four Latino/Hispanic people who all more or less identified with punk (Rene, Juan, Yvonne, and Claudia) and four African- American/black people (Che, Charles, Bernice, and Rachelle) who all more or less identified with hip hop. I chose these two cultures because they’re the largest minority groups in America. Identity played a huge part in my discussions with everyone. I started off asking them how they identified on a nationalistic level. It seems like a simple question, yet I ended up getting into a full on discussion with every person I asked about this. Rene was the only one of the Latino/Hispanic group to refer to himself as just Mexican. “I don’t call myself Latino at all,” he said. “Why would I? My parents are from Mexico, so I’m Mexican.” Juan and Claudia called themselves Mexican-American. “It’s a little conflicting,” Juan said. “Sometimes you feel like you’re not really Mexican, but then sometimes you’re reminded that you’re not really American.” The African-American group shared a similar sense of confusion in describing themselves, but, interestingly, they all clarified they weren’t—black American. “Even though a black American may face just as much racism as me, they have a completely different culture,” Rachelle said. “They don’t have that immigrant mentality that my parents brought with them from Haiti, so their values, their ideals, and their goals can be really different from mine.” Charles was the only person to identify with his parents’ country of origin. “I’m Nigerian-American,” he said. “I don’t call myself ‘African-American’ 80 because first of all, that term is politically correct for all the wrong reasons, and secondly, I don’t have the same experiences as a black American.” See how stupid that “What are you?” question is? We don’t even know, man. Yvonne and I shared experiences about how annoying it was to be asked “What are you?” on a constant basis. “People have to put a label on everything and if you don’t fit that label, they get uncomfortable,” she said. “I’m labeled a Latina, but it’s always in a negative way, though ninety-nine percent of the time I’m proud of my culture. People can’t tell that I’m Latina and it annoyed me when I was younger. I’d hear, ‘You don’t look Mexican!’ and I’d say, ‘Oh I’m sorry, would it make you feel better about me being Mexican if I had a big sombrero and serape and had a donkey behind me?’ It’s annoying to have to make others feel comfortable about my ethnicity.” Claudia grew up in Orange County, which she described as a “Republican county” with “a lot of anti-immigrant sentiment” and “pressure to be white.” “Because of where I grew up, I don’t have that stereotypical Mexican accent,” she explained. “I’m always asked by people: ‘Why do you talk like a white girl?’” This issue of facing racism and being accused of talking or acting “white” from people of their own ethnic background was extremely common. “I would get a lot of crap from my own kind,” Bernice said. “My family is well- educated, but in school it’s not cool to be smart and get good grades or to not be like the other black kids. I spoke proper English, so other black kids would say, ‘You’re talking white. Go hang out with the white people.’ But then white people would be like, ‘You’re black. What are you doing here?’” So how do you win in this situation? White people think we’re too brown, but we got brown people thinking we’re too white. People seem to think racism is solely burning crosses and calling people derogatory names in public, but it goes deeper. It’s not always in your face— it’s systemic. You and “your kind” are set up in society to fail. It’s that simple When I was younger. and that complicated. “People like to be talking about how we live in a ‘post- racial’ society, whatever the hell that means,” Che said. “It’s a historical fact, I’d hear ‘You don’t no matter how much you want to sugarcoat it: the U.S. system is based on slavery and subjugation. This entire country was built on discrimination. It’s look Mexican!’ and still that way today—it’s just not as overt.” For the most part, racism has taken a much more subtle form nowadays. I’d say, ‘Oh I’m sorry, Rene defined racism as, “The nod you get from that white guy that you’ve seen at every punk show for fucking years, but he’ll never give you a handshake.” would it make you feel He went on to say that he found it “annoying” how racist people are towards Mexicans in Los Angeles because, “We were here first. Don’t you think if you better about me being invade China there’s going to be a lot of Chinese people? I mean, sorry bro, that’s how it goes!” Yvonne also felt indirect forms of ethnic discrimination Mexican if I had a big at her workplace due to the fact that she worked in a Latin division at the company. “It’s frustrating because it’s like, I can do your job and my job, but sombrero and serape you can only do your job.” Che described racism simply. “It’s really just that—a fear,” he said. “Society has this perpetual fear of black men. I’m black, so that means I’m and had a donkey bad, I’m up to something. It’s a very stereotypical image that you’d think people would’ve grown out of by now, but it’s still there, even at places like behind me?’ universities. There’s just so much fear, and it’s all for what I’m capable of. And it’s funny, because I’m fearful of people fearing me. At times I can’t be as confident as I should, because that confidence can come across as aggression and then people won’t want to interact with me. That’s scary to me—I don’t want to make people fearful of me, because I’m not that person.” Due to all the stereotypes attached to black people, as he got older, Che saw other subtle forms of racism. “And because I drive a nice car, people always assume that I stole it, or I sell drugs, or I’m an athlete.” Whether it’s something as seemingly innocuous as the kind of accent you have or where your parents hail from, people always have something to hate on if you mess with their conformed social bubble. We can deny it all we want, even all us punk rockers who think we’re so above it all. But the truth is, people want conformity, at least on some level. Whether it’s in popular culture or on the edges of society, we ultimately want like-minded people to create communities with, even if those communities are going against the mainstream. Punk is still often conformist—it’s just conforming to non- conformity in predictable patterns. Without conformity, a majority of people get put off and resort to marginalizing others who don’t fit their mold. And when you’re an “other,” you find out quick that shit is bleak when it comes to assimilating, even when you try to. So to find an identity, all us second- generation immigrants gravitated towards music subcultures that seemed to be the most welcoming, coincidentally, in this case, punk and hip hop. Gank Our Subculture, Gank Our Identity “Hip hop culture has and continues to influence so many aspects of everyday life,” Che said. “It’s transcended race, class, and economic Punk and hip hop have a lot in common. Every person I interviewed barriers because one of the things that it’s based on is the concept made a comment about how their subculture—either punk or hip of ‘cool.’ Basically, ‘cool’ plus ‘struggle’ equals hip hop. That’s why hop—is universal because it’s the soundtrack to protest. Concerning it’s perfect for getting co-opted—it’s the perfect culture for today’s hip hop, Che said, “There’s a lot of suffering that underlies all of hip consumerist society, because it’s always promoting the latest trend. hop—a lot of people can relate to that, all in their own unique ways.” Mainstream culture hasn’t embraced the economic disadvantages that Rachelle also felt this way. “Hip hop was all about fighting back hip hop came out of. They’ve embraced the results, but not what it against being oppressed by society, so anyone who had ever felt left took to get there.” out or marginalized in any way could come to a hip hop show and find That cool factor is what makes hip hop so profitable nowadays. some kindred spirits.” The same thing happened with punk—the powers that be realized that It’s the same with punk. “The international language is music,” there was money to be made off of rebellion, that anti-conformity Rene said. “But punk challenges social divisions of things like wealth was a great capitalist venture. “Corporate America will swallow and class, which are found all over the world, and it speaks to people up and sell anything,” Rene said. “The groundwork is done by the who want to break these divisions—that’s universal.” These divisions actual subculture and the finished product is stolen by ‘The Man,’ are found everywhere, not just in our society, and that’s why punk has if you will. They made hip hop ‘rap,’ metal ‘hair-metal,’ punk ‘pop the mass appeal it does. “Punk is all over the world because there’s no punk’—they don’t care what it is as long as they know that there’s political peace anywhere,” Claudia said. “Fortunately for punk.” a large enough misunderstanding about it that people won’t be able It’s not just me who got told that I should like hip hop instead of to tell real from fake.” punk because I’m brown. Juan had the same experience of people Hip hop has become so mainstream that the dress, speech, and being confused about his love for punk. “They would come up to behavior associated with it has also become mainstream, yet the me and ask, ‘Why do you like white stigma behind the actual culture that hip people music?’” Dumbass questions hop came out of, the actual treatment like that only solidified his love of black people, hasn’t changed a bit. for it. Rene took it one step further, If anything, it’s gotten worse. The saying “I define ethnically as a punk. mainstream has appropriated black I think punk is something that you culture, but still refuses to respect can choose to be that supersedes all it. “When you think about it, hip hop other things, culturally.” culture has done a lot more for race This idea of punk serving as a relations than people like to give it culture that’s open and accepting credit for, yet people still love to talk was a key point in why the people smack about it,” Che said. “How can identified with it, because it helped you do that with a straight face? You bring them some sense of belonging can’t be hating on black people when and community in which they would you’re dropping your kids off to their always be accepted, no matter what. concerts.” But like I said, America is Hip hop does the same thing. It obsessive when it comes to race. came from the same struggles and injustices, embraced the DIY ethos, So… What Are You? and was meant to uplift a community of marginalized people. “Hip hop I’d started out thinking that second- started off as a subculture of protest,” generation immigrants had two filters Charles explained. “It was against the of identity to go through—our parents’ mainstream, oppressive views that native country’s filter and our Western people had about black people—that’s native country’s filter. But I found that what it was born out of. But when a second-generation immigrants actually subculture becomes too threatening, have three filters to go through: the mainstream society starts devaluing sets of cultural norms from our parents’ it. That’s exactly what happened with culture, American culture, and our hip hop. All of the socially conscious messages and positivity in own ethnic group. Meaning, second-generation immigrants face the hip hop turned into sexual promiscuity, drugs, gangster life, being challenge of not only trying to assimilate to the expectations held by uneducated… all that watered down the subculture. That made it both our parents and American culture, but we also have to deal with ready for the mainstream because it lost its original message and was expectations that outsiders from our ethnic group have of us. now safe for consumption.” Second-generation immigrants have to deal with the paradox of Interestingly, though, the African-American group almost felt juggling the stereotypes and expectations of us from three differing forced into hip hop. “Honestly, if I was white, I’d have more options,” sets of cultural norms, even though we’ll ultimately never truly fit in Che said. “That’s simply because white subcultures are more any one—if anything, the more we try to fit in to one particular set, the exclusive. As a white person, I’d have more options to delve into more we’ll lose touch with and distance ourselves from the other two other things and I’d be more accepted in more places. I could listen cultures, because we’re being too much of something and not enough to anything I wanted to and ‘get away with it,’ so to speak. Recently, of something else. white subcultures are becoming a little more inclusive and I’m getting Needless to say, I was stoked not just because I’m a closet nerd, into different things now that I’m older, but, generally, my skin color but also because everything I had ever felt about my identity—all the determines the expectations people have for me, even down to what confusion, frustration, and anger I had towards people who judged me kind of music I listen to. So for me, it’s hip hop or die.” for my ethnicity—all of that was vindicated. I wasn’t crazy, I wasn’t Rachelle had a similar sentiment. “I do genuinely love hip hop, overreacting. I was just a second-generation immigrant trying to find but sometimes I feel like I have to love it,” she said. “It’s weird, but my way amongst a sea of stereotype- and race-obsessed people. sometimes people make me feel bad for not listening to it all the time. So the million dollar question, then: What am I? Well, I’m all of Not intentionally, of course, but they’ll be like, ‘Oh, you’re listening it. I’m Canadian, I’m Indian, I’m Western, I’m Eastern, I’m punk, I’m to ? That’s… weird.’” hip hop, I’m North American, I’m Asian… I’m everything. Both groups identified with subcultures that have been co-opted. . Punk got co-opted back in the mid-‘90s, and now it’s hip hop’s turn. And you will fucking deal. 55

In Brooklyn, punks run television studios. They run television studios with fl oor-to-ceiling green screens where the bands on their label sometimes hang out and do interviews. This is the realization I had after hanging out with Black Rainbow in the studio run by their friends Jen and Shell from Shellshag and Starcleaner Records. It’s not surprising, considering the magical history of Shellshag and the fact that Black Rainbow also includes folks who can accomplish things like self-publishing the widely distributed SCAM zine for over twenty years or helping to establish a community arts center in Haiti. Black Rainbow acts as a connector, tying together generator shows with reading queer theory with environmental justice with anti-war protests. They are products of an investment in community, punk, and otherwise, that has kept them together despite members currently living on opposite sides of the country.

Black Rainbow formed in San Francisco from the members of bands such as Allergic To Bullshit, Shotwell, and Onion Flavored Rings among other staples of Bay Area DIY. Lifelong friends and long-term bandmates Ivy Jeanne and Erick Lyle formed the band in 2007 with Tulsa frontman Morgan Stickrod now on drums. After a couple 7”s and plenty of touring, Black Rainbow took a hiatus in 2010 while everyone focused on life pursuits as ambitious as they are inspiring. After a few years apart, they’ve returned with a fi erce new record— their very fi rst LP—and Jacqui Cornetta, formerly of the Bloomington band Universe, on bass.

They stand out with an insistence on maintaining as much collective energy as possible, channeling a melodic punk sensibility that integrates itself as seamlessly with political protests as it does with house shows. Vocalist Ivy Jeanne wants you involved, wants you moving, wants you experiencing this for every moment they’re playing. Together, Black Rainbow feels like they could create something greater than themselves at any moment if you listen close enough. Maybe that’s because they’re each simultaneously in the band while doing the punk-geek equivalent of climbing a mountain. By the end of our conversation I wanted to either or go read a book. They probably want you to just go write your own.

Interview by Lauren Denitzio Photos by Craig Flipy and Lauren Denitzio Layout by Daryl

Morgan—drums

PY Ivy—vocals Jacqui—bass

Erick—guitar CRAIG FLI CRAIG

57 Lauren: You guys started this tour by hanging Jacqui: For me, yes, I do kind of associate it doing with your time, you know. But when out for a couple weeks in Asheville. You guys in that kind of way. But I think the way that you’re playing, it’s right in front of you. We’re were trying to compartmentalize playing… that is made evident is more when you’re not all looking at each other being stoked and it Ivy: Condense. We’re trying to concentrate playing in a band: “Why do I feel so strung just feels physically great, so that’s rad. all practices that normally take a year into out? Why am I stressed?” and realizing that But also the community aspect is also pretty two weeks. a creative outlet is something that is really huge for us. I think that’s what Black Rainbow, Jacqui: That kind of mental energy. important to feeling good. So I think that’s or Ivy and I, have been trying to do with bands Ivy: Black Flagging it, basically. when it’s most evident. for years. Real site specific. When we were in Erick: Using Black Flag as a verb. Totally. Ivy: For four different people, who live in Allergic To Bullshit, it was right when the war Ivy: I like to call it bandcation. three different places, traveling to work on was starting in Iraq, so the band was very much Lauren: And this is right after your record the band is exciting and rollercoaster-y. a part of our activism at that time. And then came out. Morgan: It’s something I think about a we would play shows that were in support of Ivy: It’s coming out. lot because in the last three or four years protests. We’d also play in the street, at outdoor Erick: We had a couple 7”s and we toured I’ve decided to completely apply myself protests ‘cause that’s what was happening at the pretty regularly, just straight off the bat when to going back to school and seeking a full- time. The people we were playing music with we started. time degree. The work I’m doing with that in Miami, the band we were in before Allergic Ivy: And we all lived in the same city. is so time consuming and so busy. In a lot To Bullshit, was really involved with harm Erick: We had a different bass player. When of ways I thought that I might have to put reduction and public health activities, so we I moved away and Ivy started going to school music, arts—this creative stuff—to the side were supporting that. and Morgan moved away and started going and very quickly realized that it’s been such Now, with the geographical separation,

to school, we decided we wanted to keep the a fundamental and integral part of my life. we’re not all in the same local neighborhood CRAIG FLIPY band together. So whenever we had free time, Not just playing, but the community aspect, anymore but I think this connection brings us instead of touring, we just got together to write the friends. Every subtle dynamic has been into the lifelong community connection a bit songs—a long-view of how to get a record one so interwoven with my life and continues to because we’ve all been around for so long. day, like an LP, finally, and kind of do something be—even this seemingly abstract academic So we get to go out and meet new friends more intentional, that would take longer to do. world—or my other relationships. You and also bring some of the old-timers out, For the past couple years we’ve been getting realize how essential finding time for that— bring them all back together. And a lot of together in either Asheville, San Francisco, or those outlets—really are to just creating a the people who were mentors to us when we sometimes New York for these little periods holistically healthy experience. [laughs] were young, they’re all in their fifties now. of ten days of super concentrated practice. It’s Ivy: The band scientist! You have to talk about It’s making connections and bringing those been surprisingly productive. We’d play two what you’re doing. It’s pretty amazing. people back. shows a year and just write songs. Morgan: I’m finishing my undergrad degree Ivy: And also the new-timers. Ivy: We of course mix it up and hang out, in Environmental Science focusing on Plant Erick: Trying to get the twenty-somethings go hiking or swimming, you know, getting Biology, in particular with a habitat and and the sixty-somethings to hang together. buff. [laughs] On the Blue Ridge Trail, we’ve ecosystem restoration. I’m doing research in Lauren: You’re the bridge. done that. So it’s not just all in the shed, in the the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Ivy: Plus we have a new, super exciting storage space, staring at boxes. We bring that on an invasive wooly adelgid beetle that’s member Jacqui who has been amazing. It’s into our time together to make it more quality. feeding off native hemlocks. I won’t delve been a year-long journey… And we’ll either record or write songs. too far into specifics! Jacqui: Erick and I started playing together Lauren: Erick, you told me about going on Ivy: It’s pretty amazing. We get these periodic last summer. I’m not someone who ever tour hiatus when Ivy went back to grad school. communiqués from Morgan hanging out with thought I would try out for a band. I think even Ivy, you went back to school and had to take a water moccasins in the Everglades or snorkeling the first time that that happened, I was like, step back from the band in order to do that? off the coast of North Carolina, or with a snake “Fuck that, I’m not gonna try out for a band.” Ivy: I got my Masters in Public Health. The around his neck. [laughs] It’s pretty awesome! I played bass in a band called Universe when program was pretty rigorous and all-time- Morgan: That’s the short version. I lived in Bloomington a couple years ago but consuming as I also worked in order to afford Lauren: That’s cool that you’re studying I hadn’t played bass in awhile. It’s actually UC Berkeley. It’s really fucking expensive. It Environmental Science and it sounds like it’s my twin sister who knows Ivy and put me made it so my time was pretty limited and I had very particular to where you are and where into the mix and was like, “You should do to be really focused to do well. It wasn’t totally you live and that kind of environment. this!” I was being pushed in that direction so separate from my world of playing music as Morgan: Definitely applicable. Even though I said, “All right, okay. I guess we can hang my primary project while at school was to topically it may be abstract, it feels really out. Let’s see what happens.” create a model using the arts for community tied into a lot of the same aspects. It ties So we started just seeing if we can hang trauma. This includes visual art, movement, into communities and responsibility and and if that’s something that feels good or theater, poetry, music, dance, you name it. I’ve environmental justice, to whatever else. makes sense. Ivy was around last summer, too. done public health work for over fifteen years, Even if it seems unrelated, I see a very strong We just started messing around with it and it and I’m also an artist and activist. I wanted overlapping correlation. ended up that we worked well together. It’s to bring these worlds together, which was the Ivy: Morgan, you’ve toured how many times? been awesome. Last summer was definitely point of going to school for me. It’s really kind Morgan: [laughs] super intense—band camp summer for sure. of a perfect book-ender to get to put out this Ivy: No really, what’s a rough guess? I was working a lot and then rocking out a record right after graduating. My joke was Like, forever? couple times a week just ‘cause we were trying that our LP was my diploma. My rock’n’roll Morgan: It’s a lot. to prepare for everything. Sights had been set diploma! Finally! I’ve never had a full, full- Erick: Starting at thirteen? Fourteen? to think about doing a recording. So if this was length. So it’s really exciting for me. Something like that? gonna happen, it has to happen now. Especially Lauren: That’s great then! That makes me Ivy: Really, really young. because there were other people in the mix. think of your project Healing Arts Collective. Morgan: Fourteen, something like that. Last fall, Morgan came up and we practiced. A lot of people describe being in a band as Erick: I mean for me there’s nothing that feels Then we went down to Asheville for a couple a cathartic experience and playing music as like playing music. ‘Cause the other stuff that days in the fall. Last December, we all met out in a healing practice, so I’m curious if that’s I do is writing, and it’s very solitary. You can Portland, Oregon to record the record with Stan how you all approach the band. If that—on a imagine someone reading it but even then Wright, who was super awesome. Since Erick larger community scale—plays into how you you can’t really imagine someone reading it, and I both live in Brooklyn, we have a practice approach playing music? ‘cause this is a woefully doomed thing to be space so we get together pretty often. That’s really 58 CRAIG FLIPY helpful for the whole thing. Especially since I’m Erick: He’s a great guy, his rates are really Ivy: Wizardress! new to the band. Even just to have time to work cheap, and he’s got killer drums in there. I Jacqui: In Universe, I played violin a little on newer stuff. Erick records stuff all the time recorded a bunch of songs in there. It’s pretty bit, bass, and also the harp. I also play guitar and sends stuff to us. We’ve recorded things and rad. Our practice all summer, the two hundred and stuff. And I dabble. sent it to everybody. So that’s definitely helpful hours of practice, was with a nine-volt- Ivy: A little bit of everything. that we’re in the same place. battery-powered amp and the bass plugged Erick: No big deal. [Everyone laughs.] Erick: The first day was really funny. Jacqui into my laptop through Band. Lauren: Did you teach yourself all that stuff came over and I was like. “Just to be honest, Ivy: Make it or break it! or are you one of those folks who grew up I’ve never tried to try anyone out for a band Jacqui: I had to re-learn how to play the bass playing a lot of instruments? before.” It’s really awkward. And she had when we plugged into an amp, finally. ‘Cause Jacqui: I took violin lessons since I was never tried out for a band before. There was a I was like, “Oh! This isn’t through a laptop?! eight or nine, but it wasn’t exactly like I was conversation about what trying out would be This is different!” It was easier, luckily, to pruned in any way. I just had the wackiest, like, but then I just played this weird riff and play through an amp. I don’t have to beat the craziest teacher growing up. Thanks to her, that became a new song that we’re stoked on. shit out of the bass to make a noise. I’m a weirdo. I guess I was classically trained Ivy: “Punks against War.” Ivy: It was some twisted hazing ritual. but in a really frenetic way. Erick: So instead of trying to learn some old Erick: It was super rigged up Chattanooga- So that was my training. In college, actually, songs, we kinda jammed a little bit. style 1997 mixed with the future of Skype I took harp lessons. I went to school in Jacqui: Shamelessly jammin’. and Garage Band. Bloomington, Indiana, which is this weird Ivy: Were we in the Rastafarian practice space? Lauren: I think that’s what’s rad about harp nexus of the world. There are a million Jacqui: Not yet. technology that has developed over the past harpists there. I worked at a harp store for a Ivy: The first time was in Erick’s room. The ten years. It has radically changed how you few years. It’s insane. second time was in this pay-by-the-hour can be in a band. I can’t even imagine ten Ivy: Harp store. Rastafarian recording space, a basement years ago, trying to write songs as quickly as Erick: It’s like if you replaced all the Google practice space. it’s possible now when you don’t all live in workers in San Francisco with harps. Erick: It’s this guy Curly. He lives around the the same place. Jacqui: Exactly. corner from me. He rents out this basement. Ivy: It’s pretty great. We didn’t get to talk Ivy: Harp community. Ivy: It’s amazing. Amazing posters. about the wizard-like pro-ness of Jacqui’s Jacqui: No, for real. So I did study classical harp Jacqui: Serious holographic capabilities as a musician. It’s true, man. You stuff then. But that was just because it was fun. posters. have some secret weapons. Ivy: Black Rainbow, new directions. Ivy: Malcolm X, Black Power, awesome, Jacqui: Ah c’mon, call me a wizard? That’s Lauren: So the next record is going to have pro equipment. fine I guess. harp all over it? LAUREN DENITZIO LAUREN Ivy: We’re gonna harp it up. Jacqui: It’s been fun! Our little jaunt in they do and what they’re excited about and Jacqui: Medieval shit going on. Asheville, we didn’t really talk too much thinking about all these different angles to Lauren: The concept record about … beetles? about it. Two weeks, it was really awesome. come at, to come from, to address all kinds of Ivy: Invasive beetles! It was this hilarious mix of intensity. For stuff. I’ve been getting really excited about Morgan: Funny you should mention… Morgan it was really intense. language stuff and thinking about how that’s Ivy: We’ll have invasive beetles with the harp Morgan: [laughs] There was no mix. such a factor. Especially in the U.S. where so and I’ll do a little Healing Arts Collective. Jacqui: It was full-on insanity for Morgan ‘cause many people speak Spanish and language is We’ll have this performative embodiment he was working, trying to finish eight-hundred not something we think about in the U.S. at ritual around thinking about community. papers he was trying to write and also practice all because we’re a monolingual culture, as Erick: Morgan was about to go do a four hours a day. And maybe sleep negative one much as there are so many languages that are horticology thing down in the swamps when hour at night. We were on vacation and … spoken as native languages in the U.S. the hurricane came the other day and we Erick: But you were taking a translation class! It’s almost this non-issue even when were joking about how he almost got stuck Ivy: Jacqui is also in school. you look at education and the way that that in the hurricane. But then we were like, “So Jacqui: In Asheville though we were working system is set up. It’s interesting for me, the concept record is a nomadic band of on stuff as well—super intense practices in wanting to do translation work and seeing queer freak utopian punk survivors living in nine days, playing a couple shows. It was that as an important thing that needs to be this utopian society in the eye of The Final awesome. It felt like tour was a weird break done, it’s just at an educational level it’s not Hurricane that destroys the world and as from that. “Now we get to go play shows!” really recognized as an important piece of the long as we stay moving with the storm we We were also trying to work on new songs. puzzle in terms of cultural contact and the will survive!” This was our only time to work on new stuff sharing of ideas and of culture and all kinds Lauren: I think you have to make that for a while, so trying to be really focused of things. So the fact that that’s not something record. with that stuff. that’s taken seriously or considered important Erick: Side four is just going to be a twenty- Ivy: Four new songs. says a lot about what we value as a country seven minute song called “The Eye.” Jacqui: Right now, during tour, I’m taking a and where we place importance. [laughs] class online through NYU that’s towards this I personally am interested in translating Ivy: Sharknados. certificate in translation. That’s something literature. Especially at that level, why is Erick: All harp. Just harp. that I’m really excited about. it that books in English are disseminated Jacqui: I won’t even play it. I’ll just throw Ivy: Secret powers. throughout the world? And of course books stuff at it. Lauren: What language? are translated from Spanish and many other Erick: That’s the harp and Shellhead talking. Jacqui: Spanish to English translation. languages into English and into many other How has tour been, Jacqui? It’s cool hearing everyone talk about what languages, but you see the numbers and it’s 61 CRAIG FLIPY just insane. If you think about TV and those is. But I feel like branching away from that or Facebook exchanges and that difference sorts of things and how American culture is and creating these really personalized spaces between the two is really interesting. just everywhere across the world and how instead of something where it has to be based Lauren: In some ways it makes booking that’s something that goes unnoticed but on this really capitalist approach. a tour so much easier and so much more affects everything. Erick: That’s the challenge. There’s a immediate. But when people start taking that Ivy: Everything. rock’n’roll circuit where people play the immediacy for granted and not promoting Jacqui: How much language is this piece of the certain bars and venues in every town and shows as much as they could or not finding puzzle that is invisible in the U.S., especially often times those are the really good places creative ways to engage with it—it’s really because it’s not something that we have to to play technically. They have good sound disheartening or disappointing when I see think about unless we stop to think about it. systems and they’re built so people can watch people booking shows complaining about it So that’s what I’ve been excited about. shows. But even long before I quit drinking, I if they don’t do well. Sometimes folks will Lauren: Since you’re all involved in so never felt like a bar was a place that you could bring me back Baitline from San Francisco many things, I’m interested in how you all really build a certain kind of community. So or Mothers News from Providence. Those relate to being in a band—seeing as how this whenever possible we try to find ways to use aren’t necessarily show publications, but is not your first band or far from your first more unconventional spaces, basements, or those are paper, physical newsletters that are tour. Have your feelings towards it changed? generator shows. Finding different ways of awesome. And I wish I lived in either city Morgan: For me, personally, I have been bringing people together so the focus isn’t so that had them readily available all the time. touring for a very long time. It’s been a very much about just partying. That’s fine but it’s I feel like there’s so much vibrancy in those constant and important factor for a long time. not all of the idea. things now, especially because they’re not as In this place in time, it’s still great. Touring Lauren: I’m assuming a lot of the places common. It always surprises me that people for its own sake, seeing friends, going new you’re going on this tour won’t be the first don’t want to use shows and events and bands places, it’s amazing. I’m very fortunate to be time you’ve ever been there, so you might and friends coming through to spur making able to do that. I never take it for granted. But know people and your choices in touring cool shit, basically. I feel like now it’s harder to coordinate and become what do you want to get out of that Ivy: I think about touring in the past when it manage all those elements amidst everything road trip rather than we just want to play a was about circulating phone numbers! “Oh, else—general life, everyone else’s schedules show in this town. You know what questions your tour book! Let me borrow your tour and lives. It feels like there are aspects I’ve to ask. book, man.” I have these funny journals filled taken from it over the years which feel more Ivy: We were talking earlier about how the with tour contact phone numbers exchanged important to hone in on. South and this part of the East Coast is more back and forth. And there was Maximum If we’re going to try to make this of a comfort zone because we do know so Rock’n’roll’s Book Your Own Fucking Life, happen then all the work going into it—just many people. But on this tour we’ve also how people relied on that. It’s interesting to make this happen over this set course tried to jump out of it and play shows with seeing the change in technology and what we of time—really trying to make sure that it people we don’t really know or different can do to use it, so it doesn’t have to become does something different than, “It’s summer kinds of shows. We’re going to Canada for taken for granted, or thought of as the only and we’re gonna play some shows with the first time, so that’s really exciting. way to book and promote shows. some people and travel around and go do Erick: We all hadn’t been on the road in a long Erick: It’s just a lot more of everything now, these things.” Let’s try to incorporate other time. None of us had gone on a nationwide too. There are just so many more bands and mediums, other aspects. Branch out into the tour in a while. In some ways we were kind so many more people doing stuff that I think wider range of the greater community. There of like, “Are we out of the loop? What’s everybody is just swamped. People who are are a lot of people doing a really cool range of going on?” We’ve been really wrapped up in booking shows are probably getting called stuff and I feel like so much of the time—and other projects. But that honestly gives you an by so many bands every week that they don’t so much of the stuff that has ended up being opportunity to start over a little bit, so you know. I can see the other side that it’s just a bummer over the years with touring—is the don’t get in your own rut where you just super overwhelming to deal with. separation of that. call the same people and do the same things, Lauren: I definitely see show listings in You go to these different places where which is kinda cool. We had to do a lot more paper form but very matter-of-fact: the people who should be congregating, seeing research and figure out what’s going on in the lineup, the location, and move on. eye to eye, working together, it’s so disparate world and meet new folks. Put trust in people Erick: I don’t want to romanticize things that and separate. It feels really important to you don’t know to do stuff. are hard all the time, like standing around at try to pull together a lot of those mediums, Ivy: We all booked parts of it too, so that was the payphone in the rain… people, projects, and ideas. At least, from pretty cool to mix it up. Ivy: And that wasn’t meant to sound my perspective, I see a growing distance Erick: Trying to find ways to not repeat romantic, either. between touring now versus before—both yourself over and over. Definitely excited to Erick: It’s kinda cool that it’s easier ‘cause slightly abstract and slightly direct. I feel like play for strangers whenever possible, too. there’s so much other stuff you could be more than ever it feels really important to Ivy: I’m curious about the difference between doing with your time. But that sense of people try to bring those things together and try to booking tours ten years ago versus today with feeling like they were collectively guarding build something new instead of working in social media and how there’s this lax attitude the embers of some fire that would go out the same old formula. about booking, where people are like, “I’ll if we didn’t all work on it together—that’s Erick: Do you mean there are more niches? just send out a Facebook event a week before” kind of what’s lost. Because there’s so much, That people don’t all talk to each other? and then things don’t come together. Thinking and people are coming from all different Morgan: Yeah. about that as this element in our saturated, perspectives. I don’t know if you can put that Ivy: We are playing two boats on this tour heavily reliant on social media culture to back in a bottle. Within this—overall—there and we’re playing with a musical in Kansas book and promote, document, you name it. are still people who feel that way, for sure. City based on a Coast to Coast episode called It’s interesting to try to find ways to not fall Lauren: Every local scene is different. “Mel’s Hole.” (Coast to Coast is a long- into that trap, of “That’s the only way we’re I feel like when you tour enough or go to running AM radio show about UFOs and going to do this.” It’s really interesting to shows enough to meet people from all over other unexplained phenomena.) So we’re think about booking tours over a twenty-year the place, you pick up on different cities’ definitely mixing it up. period of time where I would make phone quirks and habits of putting on shows. Or Morgan: Going along with that is breaking calls with a tone-dialer. You used to be able to what it means to be a part of that in different out of the sort of bar, rock club, corporate rewire tone-dialers bought at Radio Shack to places. When I think about Black Rainbow element that gets tied up. I know it’s easy. make fake quarter sounds. So booking tours as a band, I feel like it channels some of It’s often times the only option. It is what it on pay phones versus sending emails or texts that. That feeling of a lot of different places 63 and cities and it doesn’t limit you to just one thinking about the dissolution of community inspired by his work, especially his book scene or something. especially during the never-ending wars in Iraq Cruising Utopia. In his book, he’s thinking Ivy: ! and Afghanistan and the ways that people have about social theory and the perspectives of Lauren: It’s not like you can point to a very felt really beat down and defeated. Erick and I queer feminist of color that bring together specific scene like San Francisco, where all were involved with Bay Area activism around different ways of organizing for change. the bands kind of sound like “this” and then gentrification, anti-war, and globalization and He talks about the feminist of color theory everyone knows what “this” means. we witnessed people’s dynamics crumble in of intersectionality that describes the way Ivy: Blast beats! different organizing circles and this really sad, different forms of oppression interrelate and Lauren: I wasn’t trying to romanticize the heartbreaking isolation take over—it wasn’t how to organize using intersectionality as a bad things, though it’s easy to do that. It just our experience. starting point. sounds like, if anything, for you guys, touring It was a domino effect in movements An important point of Jose Muñoz’s is now easier to maintain the band and be where people who were fighting so hard for work is about naming where we are and

able to go on tour today than it would have social change became extremely disillusioned making the invisible visible. We have to name been five or ten years ago had you wanted to with our surreal and violent reality. After the institutional racism, sexism, homophobia, do something like this. war in Iraq and the war on terror shifted into classism. If we don’t name intersectional Morgan: I feel like if it’s important enough high gear there seemed to be this dormancy oppression and work from where bonds are you find ways to make it happen, but the in large-scale activism. The inspiration for formed, how do we really expect to actually tools definitely help. There are things that my lyrics came out of responding to this work for change? We can’t continue to definitely work to our advantage, for sure. dormancy and isolation. In the songs, I’m silence or silo different social issues. So I Erick: We’re still trying to max it out so thinking about ways to pierce through that was really inspired by his work. He passed that in the end we are playing with a laptop sense of defeat and disillusion and oblivion, away suddenly last December and it was and a nine-volt battery. We still have more and how to say that artfully and with clarity. really super devastating. He was supposed inspiration than resources. [laughs] It’s kind The songs also talk about love and faith and to speak at UC Berkeley this spring. My of the same as always. I don’t know how we community that pierce negativity. So that’s professor Jac Asher was fairly close with got all that stuff in that minivan. where a lot of that draws from, this very him. The queer theory community is a small Ivy: We rented a minivan for tour. We’ve personal experience of working towards community. Jac read some of his work known Shellshag—we just did a little tour social change and really believing in it. Very aloud and shared stories—there were ninety with them—for three-hundred years. Three much with heart. There’s a lot of heart and students in the class—and we had an open- lifetimes we’ve been touring with them. tenderness and asking. ended conversation. He was actually a Cuban Erick: I feel like it would come up every Lauren: Can you talk about the references queer punk, from Miami! This is an homage night. Shell would be like, “These are my you make, the other writers and artists you to him. friends for fifteen years!” And then it would reference on the record? Lauren: I feel like his writing, and other be twenty-five. Ivy: When we play, I talk about different things people’s in that circle, is about things that Ivy: Two and a half decades is what he said between our songs. Sometimes it’s wacky from a punk perspective I totally already last night. It was pretty special. banter and sometimes it’s really serious, but understood. But I feel like if you had never Erick: But then last night we were that’s part of it. It’s not about us just going read it before you might see it as this reminiscing about when Shell and Jen (of from song to song. I think it’s great trying to academic, theoretical, maybe inaccessible Shellshag) and us were hanging out at the engage differently with people from place to thing. But it’s so applicable to everything signing of the Magna Carta, when they built place. It’s pretty important to me. A couple of that so many of my friends care about and the Brooklyn Bridge, at the last Sex Pistols the songs on the record use the cut up method work towards. So I’m always really psyched show at Winterland. with inspiring feminist and experimental when I see things like that. The other people Lauren: Throughout time. writers Kathy Acker and Clarice Lispector you mentioned as well, it’s like reading the Ivy: It’s all that singularity—since we’ve and the poet Tory Dent. I’m thinking about liner notes and trying to see what other bands been hyper-communicating with them about feminism and community organizing and a band thanks. Who do they know and who putting out the record—maybe it does feel also thinking about people who try to push else should I check out? So I feel like when like twenty-five years. We’re just condensing through limits and through bounds. There’s a people write about other artists or other our friendship. lot of that, the poetic reach. I’m finding new writers, other people who they admire, then Erick: It’s Rainbow Gravity is what it is. ways to communicate. So there’s some real other people latch onto that too and hopefully Ivy: It’s really amazing to have gotten to do angular ways of communicating. will seek that out. Other inspiration. a mini tour with them—this is not the first Lauren: It’s cool to experiment with Ivy: Little satellites or lighthouses. These time—and them being so supportive and songwriting in that way. little beams. One of my final papers was excited about the band. It has been the best. Ivy: Some of it is super experimental. Some actually called Queer Collective Caretaking Lauren: I’ve listened to the new record a of it is very clear. where I positioned Lauren Berlant and Jose number of times and while I didn’t have the Lauren: I don’t really have a question about Muñoz. Thinking about Lauren Berlant’s lyrics in front of me I feel like it sounds pretty your song “Cruising Utopia,” referencing Cruel Optimism with Jose Muñoz’s Cruising uplifting and that you demand this certain kind Jose Muñoz, other than to say that it’s cool. Utopia and thinking about how that actually of optimism. Did you have a theme for what Ivy: I was teaching an undergrad Queer applies to the everyday. It was a very fun, very you wanted to write about with the record? Theory class during my grad program and obsessive last project for my Queer Health Ivy: The songs on this record were a long I was turned on to him by Jac Asher, the class. I definitely went with Jose Muñoz even time in the making and definitely came out of professor I was working with. I’m really though I love elements of Lauren Berlant. But 65 she definitely fell short with the stuff around trauma? We write down the responses, which I’ve noticed, an every man for himself vibe thinking about race and class and thinking then act as a roadmap for the entire project. in bands. There’s just more, “We’re trying about trauma more radically. I actually met We meet weekly with different artists, poets, to make it.” Which is fine. I totally think her, too. I have a picture with her. musicians, and dancers who consider their that’s great if you just want to be in a band Lauren: That’s awesome. work somehow healing or transformative. and live off of it. I think that’s fine, I have no Ivy: I told her about Healing Arts Collective, We then collectively decide on a final problem with that. But there is a little less of the project I ended up focusing on during public performance. So far, each time has that collectivity that you’re talking about and school. It’s an amalgamation of all the work looked very different. So it just depends on it’s a little more scattered. I think it’s there I’ve done coming from not only my personal the group of people and where we’re at. I’m but we just want it in our lives and the band experience and upbringing but also thinking really excited about it and it’s a natural next is a way to try to find that, too. To try to reach about ways I’ve been able to use punk rock, step related to my past experience in public out and try to get those people together, too. creativity, and art for community mental health or social work. I knew that I didn’t That’s something that we relate to more, in health. Healing Arts Collective is all of these want to end up in the cul-de-sac of the non- terms of our motivations for making art and things coming together. It’s not arts therapy profit sector. I am more interested in models music. It’s more that kind of connection. but arts practice. It’s socially engaged art that are about creating and maintaining Ivy: It’s not a capitalist venture, Black practice using dance, theater, performance social networks that do not have to strictly Rainbow. It’s more of a lifestyle! [laughs] art, and movement to think of different ways rely on the formal or professional sector for Erick: I admire bands that are just like, to address and heal community trauma. community solutions to issues. So that’s how “We’re a band.” And that’s just what they do I’ve done this project five times over it’s relatable to the band. We’re not looking and they try really hard and do their thing. the past year, including in Coney Island last for some niche, but rather how can we get That’s what it takes in some ways to make summer with Hurricane Sandy survivors. out there and be more open and think about a band your whole life, to put that kind of Healing Arts Collective in a nutshell: I partner mutual aid and collectivity. focus into it. We’ve never been content to with a community and do outreach, people Erick: I do think that that’s one thing I’ve focus on one thing in our lives. We’ve all come together, and we start with discussing noticed that has changed is that now that been pretty interested in pushing as hard in three open-ended questions. How do you punk is not so underground musically every possible direction. So this is just one define community trauma? How do you anymore. If you play loud, fast music it’s piece of the puzzle. I’m really glad that we imagine community healing? How can we not going to turn off mainstream audiences. get to do it. use the arts to address and heal community It’s just not scary. So there’s a little bit more,

CRAIG FLIPY

80 Paul Dechichio’s name immediately springs to label spans the punk spectrum, matching Paul’s mind when I think of Providence, Rhode Island own varied taste in music. Bands on Tor Johnson punk. Paul has been a cornerstone of the greater are also expected to deliver, another factor taking New England punk community for well over ten into consideration on whether a band ultimately years. His contributions to the scene are varied gets added to the roster. having had a hand in booking shows, playing in I briefly lived in Providence in the early ‘00s, and his own bands, and running his own record store, Paul was one of the first people I met in the city, at Cathartic Records in the early ‘00s. a show he booked. We shared similar interests in Paul founded Tor Johnson Records in 2002 and music, comics, games, and other things of a nerdy released records over the past twelve years from persuasion, so it was natural we’d become friends. some of my favorite bands, including Weak Teeth, We met up at a popular vegan bakery outside Saint Jude, and Now Denial. Providence, giving me a chance to not only catch For Paul, musical aesthetics take a back seat up with a good friend, but also pick the brain of to band ethics. Every band on Tor Johnson shares one of the hardest working people in punk. Paul’s ethos for what it means to participate in DIY punk. Because of this, the sound of bands on his

Interview: Paul J. Comeau Photos: Jake Cunningham, Christine Dechichio, J. Flynn, and Angela Owens Layout: Becky Bennett Paul at Tor Johnson HQ / Christine Dechichio Paul: The past two years have been especially awesome people silk-screening stuff for Records and . I was ordering busy for you. them. It’s a little company. Skankin’ Pickle and Warzone shirts because Tor Paul: In 2012 we celebrated our tenth Paul: What are some of the projects you’ve I thought they looked cool. From there I anniversary. To do that, we did an anniversary worked on, and who were they for? started getting the records—well, at that time 7”. It was originally going to be an LP, but Tor Paul: Jeff and I are both in the same boat CDs—and stuff like the because bands didn’t get stuff to me in time where we’re both very good at the mechanics compilations and things like that. I feel like to get to , it turned into a 7” with a of screen printing, but we’re not necessarily for kids getting introduced at that point in lot of extra songs on the download code. It good with the design elements. A lot of the time, it was so much more about discovery was important to do a lot of unreleased songs stuff we’ve done is for bands that already have than it is now. of bands from the label that had broken up designs or designers who want something Paul: In what way? and covers, and it was a fun release. done. We’ve done some really fun things. Tor Paul: Back then, a friend let you borrow a We did an anniversary show, which had Recently, celebrated an record, and it was awesome. So you read their bands related to almost every single release on anniversary for one of their records, and we did liner notes and you found new bands through the label. It was a wonderful, sold-out show. a silkscreen poster for them for their Boston who they thanked. You were a detective, We recorded the whole thing, which is on the show. There’s a really cool retreat center in finding out about music from all over the Ten Year War DVD which is available now. I New Hampshire called Star Island that we’ve world by studying what you enjoyed. Now, I was supposed to do an LP for Furnace, who done a bunch of stuff for, and of course we feel the readiness of the internet is both a pro played the anniversary show, and they went use it for ourselves. Jeff is in the band Test Of and con. I feel like having everything at your in to record, but in that process have now Time, and he’s done some fun limited merch fingertips takes the adventure out of it. gone into indefinite hiatus. I can’t comment for them. I’ve done Best Practices posters What really grabbed me though, were on what happened, but if they finish recording and shirts, Alpha Owl shirts, and a bunch of live shows. Everything started with mail- the record, it will come out. Since then, I was different stuff for Tor Johnson. order, but what captured me and what started a part of the thirty-label international release Paul: So you do all these projects and you all this was going to shows and seeing these of Rations’ Martyrs & Prisoners 7”, I did work a full-time job? bands live. the Tyler Daniel Bean 7” Everything You Do Tor Paul: I work six days a week, I’m married, Paul: Was there a particular show that hit you, Scares Me, Bloodpheasant’s LP Traum, and and I somehow find time to hang out with my where you were like “I’m in this for life?” releases for my bands. wife and still do everything else. I don’t know Tor Paul: It’s tough. There was a very iconic Paul: Tell me about the bands you’re in and how that actually works [Laughs]. show, a picture from which has turned into those releases. Paul: What does a typical week look like a very iconic picture. It was the Explosion’s Tor Paul: I play drums in two bands. The for you, and how do you strike a balance first show, with Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, first, Best Practices, put out an LP on Tiny between it all? Pinkerton Thugs, Global Threat, and the Engines, and I just put out our 7” Sore Tor Paul: It’s a tough one. Thankfully, Unseen might have played. It was at the First Subjects. We’ve played (the Gainesville) my job most days is 11-7, so it’s sort of in and Second Church in the Back Bay of Boston, Fest twice, but we’re at a point where we’re the middle of the day, which allows me to which no longer has shows. The venue had only going to be playing a couple shows a do stuff in the morning and things at night. a very odd setup. It was a large auditorium year. Jeff who’s our singer and guitarist There’s a couple days a week that I have to with a huge stage, and a horseshoe balcony took an amazing job in Richmond, so he’s work some extra hours, but thankfully that on the second floor which looped around the living down there now, which obviously allows me to be more flexible. I’m able to get entire edge of the auditorium. The show was makes playing shows difficult. If things a lot of label work done in the morning after so packed that kids were doing flips off the come our way, that’s cool, but we’re not a my wife leaves for work, and then at night balcony onto the crowd below. I remember on full-time band anymore. I’m also in a band I’m able to do more social events. Obviously the train ride home just being in such awe of called Alpha Owl, which features members there are band practices, and trying to work the crowd and the energy, and everything. of Hulk Out, Weak Teeth, and Learn, if at the print shop, so two days a week I end up It was really the smaller suburban VFW people remember that band. I just put out our working late at the other jobs, but I’m able shows though which got me in it for life. three-song EP. to spend a lot more nights hanging out with Shows with bands like Moment and There Paul: In addition to your label, and your friends and family. Were Wires, smaller bands that were more bands, you’ve also got a project called Teeth Paul: When did you first discover punk, and part of the suburban scene that was going on. Like Swords? what drew you to it? Those are the friends that I’ll have for life, Tor Paul: Teeth Like Swords wasn’t really Tor Paul: Like a lot of kids that were in and the people who helped mold me into my creation, but it’s turned into my baby. high school in the late ‘90s, my introduction the DIY lifestyle. I don’t know any of those Another guy from Providence, Jeff Novak, to punk was through ska. It was gaining street punk guys. That was a cool show, but started up the printing company and invited in popularity at the time, but hadn’t quite it didn’t necessarily help me become who me to join in. It’s doing silk-screening, broken into the mainstream. It was far more I am today. which is nice because it’s a vehicle for me acceptable for a kid who was listening to Paul: Was it because of the more communal to get a lot of Tor Johnson stuff done that I’d alternative, like Smashing Pumpkins and aspect of the smaller local scene? otherwise have to hire someone else to do. stuff. I don’t remember how it happened, but Tor Paul: Yeah, it was an interesting It also works out because I’ve been able to somewhere along the line I ended up with dichotomy. The smaller shows and the do some great projects and work with some these mail-order catalogs from Asian Man community were what made me fall in love 69 with this lifestyle, but the–I don’t want to struck a chord. I’ve always liked crappy, say bigger shows–but the more faceless B-movies, and it just clicked to name it Tor shows showed me what this community Johnson Records. could accomplish. Paul: What’s kept you in Providence all Paul: When did you move to Providence? these years? Tor Paul: I moved down in September of Tor Paul: As much as Providence ebbs and 2000 for college and stuck around ever since. flows in terms of how vital the scene is or Paul: What did you come to study? Has it how, not vital… had any bearing on all the projects you’re Paul: Vibrant? involved in? Tor Paul: Vibrant! That’s a good word. It’s Tor Paul: I came to the city at first to an old scene. It’s a scene that people don’t study culinary arts. Later, I switched over leave. Spaces come and go, bands come and to entrepreneurship, thinking that I might go, but people don’t, and that appeals to me. someday own a restaurant. During the course I came from Boston, and kids come and go of living down here I found this wonderful there all the time. Rather than people who scene, and have sort of just embraced that live there and make it work, a lot of the kids as more of the driving factor of my life. who come to shows day in and day out are Thankfully, on the entrepreneurship side I college kids. As many colleges as there are did learn a fair amount that I’ve been able in Providence, Providence is a very stable to apply to projects I’ve done, whether the scene. You see the same faces all the time. label, the print shop, or Cathartic Records Paul: What do you think contributes to (the record store I ran), and also the job that stability? I have now. Tor Paul: A lot of it is the fact that as much Paul: What was the first year of Tor Johnson as we’re a city, it’s a small town. Bands and How would you describe the Tor Johnson Records like compared to recent years? people within the scene generally care, and musical aesthetic? Tor Paul: Tor Johnson Records is still just generally help each other. In a bigger scene, Tor Paul: I would say there is not a musical fun to me. Yeah, it’s a business, and yeah I like New York, or even Boston, you’re just a aesthetic to Tor Johnson. If there is a common want to sell records, but it’s not my job. I faceless person at a show. In Providence, you theme it’s more ethos than anything. All the want to put out records from my friends, not go to three shows in a row and you’re going bands that I’ve put out are all very similar pay my bills. In the first year, I had only been to see most of the same people. If you start in terms of thought process and how they in Providence two years at that point. The talking to them, you’ll create some of the best go about doing the band. Everyone has that band I was in growing up had just broken up, friendships you’ve ever had in your entire dream that they’re gonna ‘make it,’ but the and I had just started to book shows. life. That had a lot to do with me staying. bands I’m putting out are just as happy to Shows were the only thing I was really One of the first shows that I went to when play in a basement as they would be in a doing for the scene, so I decided I wanted to I was in town was in a warehouse. Dropdead, venue, or anywhere. It’s really about bands start a label to use as a vehicle for shows, Like Lightning Bolt, and What Feeds The Fire all that are having fun with it, and have the same doing “Tor Johnson Records Presents…such played. Those are three bands that on paper mindset as I do in terms of what we’re doing and such band,” And also put out records. would never really play with each other in in the scene. Not that music comes second, Paul: Tor Johnson was an obscure B-movie a bigger city. In bigger cities crust kids go because obviously the music is important, actor. Why name your after him? to crust shows. Straight edge hardcore kids but I have very eclectic tastes and I like very Tor Paul: One day before work I was go to straight edge shows. Noise kids go to different things personally. I feel like there’s watching Mystery Science Theater 3000, and noise shows. Because Providence is so small nothing that needs to tie Tor Johnson to one they were playing The Unearthly, which is though, that doesn’t slide. Everyone supports particular type of music because I don’t tie one of the few Tor Johnson movies that is not everyone. It’s not a segregated scene. It’s a myself to one particular type of music. an Ed Wood movie. Tor has one line in the very together scene, regardless of what kind of Paul: So what makes a great punk record and entire movie. He’s in many scenes—doesn’t music you play, and I like that. It inspires me. what makes a punk record that you want to talk—and they were going on and on about Paul: You’ve released a number of very put out? Is there a difference? him, and it was so perfect and hilarious. It different sounding bands on your label. Tor Paul: I’ve been known to put out some bad records [laughs]. I hate to be the one to was all over the world. As much as that was I was the one putting the layouts together, I say that. I feel, for me, the most important me and the band trying to push stuff, a lot of laid out the Gorilla Biscuits tribute myself, thing when I’m putting out a record is my that was the distributor. and honestly when you look back at it, it’s connection to the band. I want to see them While it still matters today—the guys not a very good-looking record. It’s very DIY live. I want to see what they’re doing. This at Ebullition and the guys at Stickfigure do if you will [laughs]. is why a lot of my releases are from bands in wonders for getting stuff out there—I feel The goal shouldn’t be you specifically New England, because that’s where I am. like today that’s less of the goal. With social doing everything yourself, because you In terms of what makes a great punk record, media where it is, a lot of labels that exist won’t necessarily get the best result that way. it’s hard to say. I feel there’s a whole range nowadays sort of look past the distributor It’s really about keeping everything in-house. that works. What’s important is getting the and try to go directly to fans. When you “Yourself” should encompass people you right sound for what music you’re playing. I do that though, you do nothing but hurt know. I’m friends with graphic designers, so think a lot of bands have a hard time figuring brick and mortar record stores, which in I’ve hired them to do work. I don’t own a that out, thinking that they should sound one my opinion, are the soul of punk rock. Your pressing plant so I obviously get the records way, when honestly they should be recorded neighborhood store, they’re the people who pressed elsewhere. I used to give away a different way. are listening to records, they’re the people samplers when the label started, and I used Paul: How has running a record label who are really doing anything, so you still to put a moniker on there which said, “Step changed over the years? need distributors. number one: learn where you spend your Tor Paul: This business is almost Paul: The term DIY gets thrown around a dollar matters.” And I feel like that should constantly evolving. When I first started, lot. What does it mean to be DIY today, and be the definition of DIY. It’s about getting the internet wasn’t really a presence like it how has that changed since you first started someone you know will do the job well, is now, especially social media. I had a shitty the label? and not hiring a faceless company. It’s about Angelfire site, and it was fine. You relied on Tor Paul: I feel the term DIY gets, not working with distributors that you can call up your distributor to get stuff into stores. The overused, but too strictly defined. I feel like on the phone. Yeah, they sort of are faceless Pretty Faces record, thanks to the people at doing it yourself is limiting. I know I’m not entities, but they’re going to get your records Ebullition, sold out almost right away and a graphic designer. My first couple releases, into stores, and you need to sell records. It’s 71 about sitting down with the designer and going over ideas. It’s about packaging the records at your house. With Teeth Like Swords, I had the wonderful opportunity to learn to silkscreen from friends of mine that are damn good silk screeners and better than I’ll ever be. The guys at Ghost Town and the guys at Local 401 are amazing. I was lucky enough to learn things from them and they were nice enough to do stuff for me when I didn’t know what to do. I feel like it’s about knowing your limits. I don’t own a recording studio, so I go to my friends who own studios to record bands. Paul: It seems to me you’re talking about collaboration? Tor Paul: Big time! DIY is not encapsulating. It’s not you alone against the world. DIY should be a community; it should be bigger than you. It’s about finding other people who are good at what they do, and you’re not good at it, so you go to them. Paul: What kind of ups and downs does a creative endeavor like running a label have? Tor Paul: I’ve been lucky enough that I try to treat everything as ups, otherwise I’d stop running a label. There are always speed bumps. Bands that are supposed to tour don’t go on tour. Bands break up before their record comes out. Records you thought were going to be hits, aren’t. I’d say my biggest down was when I owned Cathartic Records, a local record store in the early-mid ‘00s. I was working with a wonderful distributor, Independent One Stop. They were out of New Jersey, really nice guys, and they were great at getting stuff into the shop. I asked them to start carrying the label, and they did. It ended up working into them offering an exclusive deal, which I took. Looking back though, I shouldn’t have. The downfall of exclusive deals means that all the work you’ve done up until that point getting your records through other distributors needs to just stop now.’ It was very disheartening. Gavin at Stickfigure, who’s amazing. Gavin be pulled. All those distributors that you’ve I’d already done press that you could get does awesome stuff with all my records. It worked with for multiple years need to send the record through this company that now was a difficult number of years, though. your records back to you. Then you give didn’t exist. I then had to go back to all these Lumberjack had closed. Very Distribution them to the place you’ve signed an exclusive distributors that I’d just pulled stuff from to had closed. It was getting more and more deal with, and they’re supposed to do all the convince them to carry my stuff again. It was difficult to get records in stores. work for you. very difficult. Paul: Tell me about the other side of the coin. On paper it’s a great endeavor. It’s way Paul: How did you recover from this? Tor Paul: Recently, the first Weak Teeth less footwork for you. After I signed that Tor Paul: I was lucky that Ebullition took me record has been possibly our biggest up deal, the company lasted another year and a back. They were one of the main distributors story. It was our fastest selling record. We half. They did not tell me they were closing. I was worried about because anyone who went through all three hundred of the first I found out by calling them because the Saint knows Ebullition knows that they are very press within six or eight months, whereas I Jude record was coming out to see how many DIY and punk rock in their ethos, so the have three hundred copies of other records they wanted. They were like, “Oh, we’re fact that I pulled out to go to this bigger that have been out years that I’m still sitting closing, and you shouldn’t run a label because company I’m sure did not look great to on. It’s the first record we ever did a second it doesn’t make any money, so you should them. I was also lucky to start working with press on, and it still sells, even though they

73 all are settling down, and they’re doing less I feel like a lot of labels that start now, get bogged down with that. I’d rather just be touring now. The Saint Jude record was also because of how prevalent social media is and stoked on what’s happening. I permanently a big up. That record sold extremely quickly. how easily you can connect with individual listen to my mp3 player on shuffle, and every Obviously, Vincent creating Howl helped. people, that view has shifted. It’s very much single day there’s a song that comes on from I’d say the Saint Jude CD sold out within six about trying to get records directly into the a demo from some band somewhere that months from Howl’s first LP being released. hands of people, but I feel that hurts the hasn’t existed in years, and I’m like, “Man, Paul: How have your experiences shaped cycle. It’s important obviously to get the I wish this existed outside a burned CD,” but how you do things today? record into as many hands as possible, but nothing I’d actually try and pursue. Tor Paul: Thanks to pressing plants it’s also important that the guy who owns the Paul: You’ve shown a great resilience in adjusting their prices, the break-even point store down the street is able to carry your the way you overcome setbacks and move for record pressing has been adjusted a lot, record, and he can get a little piece and he can forward. Where do you find the motivation so one of my keys has been to press less stay open and can sell your record to those to keep everything going? records in a pressing, and if need be, repress. people. I’ve had more good experiences in Tor Paul: It’s still exciting. It’s exciting to My basement’s getting cluttered. Yours will record stores than I’ve ever had on a website. hold something physical in your hand that too if you start a label [laughs]. It’s really If I was starting a label now, I would look didn’t exist before, and to be the vehicle that just all about trying to get a record into as back on those fond experiences I’ve had in put that into existence. I’m not necessarily many hands as possible. I hate preorders. record stores and remember that and use that good with woodworking, or other stuff that But everyone loves them so I try and do that as a vehicle. involves making things, so this is my hobby. and make something special with special Paul: It seems like record stores are a Some people build models, other people packaging. It’s about going the extra mile. missing piece when people talk about work on cars, I make records. When times get Paul: If there was one piece of advice you scenes. Where do you see the record store tough, it helps that I’ve got a great support wish you’d heard when you started, what fitting into that picture? system. Not only my wonderful wife, but would it be? Tor Paul: We really luck out here in also our core group of friends. They really Tor Paul: I feel like I lucked out when I Providence having Armageddon, a world- help a lot in keeping it on going. It’s always first started the label because I had a good renowned label, store, everything, which has helped that all of these side endeavors have support structure. Ben at Armageddon, Al been here for fifteen years. It’s a destination. never been my full-time job. I’ve always had from Contrast, Mitch from Trash Art, Brian at Until Armageddon opened up their second steady paychecks and I’ve always still been Corleone were all readily accessible to answer location in Cambridge, there were too few able to pay my bills. If there’s a hiccup with questions. Al from Contrast was maybe the record stores in that city. I feel a lot of people one of these, invariably with Tor Johnson, or best resource. Before the Gorilla Biscuits forget that digging in a record store can be with Cathartic, or one of my bands, it’s easier tribute was even a thought in my mind, I the most rewarding experience in punk. I when it’s not necessarily affecting your used to spend hours in Contrast Records, know when I was in high school, I had some everyday life. the store, talking to Al about how to put out of the best experiences digging in record Paul: What’s the future look like for you? records: who to contact at distros, where to stores, finding some gem, whether it was a Tor Paul: I’m working on a double LP get reviewed, what pressing plants to use, band that broke up twenty years prior that discography of the band Moment. They where to get jackets printed. I feel I was lucky I’d never heard, or a band I saw two weeks existed in the late ‘90s/early ‘00s from to have someone to ask all those questions. before, but didn’t have the money to pick up Boston. They were possibly the single-most Paul: Say Tor Johnson didn’t exist and you their record. The record store is a massive influential band for me when I was coming up. decided today you were to start a label, how key to scenes in general, and it’s something I They were guys that were very approachable would you do it? feel is overlooked in the digital age in which and played all over the area. It’s a record that I Tor Paul: It’s tough for me to look at it we’re in now. It’s something that in my want to own, so that’s why I’m putting it out. that way, because I see so many labels that mind is equally, if not more important, than It’s got songs that are unreleased and songs have started up recently go about things running a webstore. that were never available on vinyl, Sadly, very differently than I do. My biggest goal Paul: If there was a dream release you could there’s no possibility of a Moment reunion. with putting out a record is to get it into as do, what would it be? I was lucky enough to get all of them to many stores as possible. I want to use as Tor Paul: There are releases that I passed on agree to the release. There’s some animosity many distros as possible. I want to get it as that I wish I didn’t. between members that will possibly never be many places as possible. I don’t necessarily Paul: Like what? resolved, which is too bad. concentrate as much on individual sales to Tor Paul: I was approached with the first people. I have a webstore and it’s important Howl record before they went to Relapse. to me to sell records to people, but it’s more I didn’t have the money to do it, and had important to me to get records into the store other releases I was working on, so I passed down the street from your house than it is to on it. There are so many amazing bands out mail it directly to you. currently I wish I worked with, but I try not to 75 TOP FIVES RAZORCAKE

4. Page Museum / La Brea Tar Pits 2. “Falling Out” by Rikk Agnew/DI Adam Bowers Cassie Sneider The Only 5 Songs Dads Will Dance 5. Four-way tie for zines: Secret 3. “When You Find Out” • Beach Slang, Cheap Thrills on a Life of an Apprentice Electrician, by The Nerves Dead End Street to at a Wedding 1. , Four Eyes, Two Wheels, Mishap 4. “New Race” by Radio Birdman • American Football, (Deluxe Edition) #33, No Gods, No Mattresses #49 5. “Shining Silver Light” • Cayetana, Nervous Like Me “Old Time Rock and Roll” 2. Billy Joel, “You May Be Right” by Weirdos • , Charmer Designated Dale • Tenement, Napalm Dream 3. Village People, “YMCA” 4. Sugarhill Gang, “Rapper’s Delight” Top 5 Molotov (from D.F. Mexico) Songs Indiana Laub 5. Steely Dan, “Peg” • “Puto” • New Junk City, Self-titled Cassette Andy Garcia • “Frijolero” • Dumb Luck’s EP being recorded 1. La Femme, • “Chinga tu Madre” Chad Williams in my living room Psycho Tropical Berlin LP • “Here We Kum” • LVL UP, Hoodwink’d LP 2. Generacion Suicida, 1. , Hang LP 2. The Drips, • “Changuich a la Chichona” • Canine, Self-titled Cassette Todo Termina LP • The first six AFI albums on repeat 3. Crazy Spirit, 2014 Demo Cassette Destroy the Chemistry 7” 3. , Deep Fantasy LP Daryl Gussin 4. Moth, First Second LP • Big Crux, Ponchito LP Jamie Rotante 5. DiE, Vexed 7” 4. Sick Of It All, Last Act of Defiance LP • AWESOMEFEST 8! Best fest ever. Top 5 Tunes for When I’m • Total Control, Typical System LP tie Feelin’ Weird Art Ettinger 5. Swingin’ Utters, Fistful of Hollow LP with Reigning Sound, Shattered LP 1. “Anxious Tendencies” • Thulsa Doom, The PxCx 7” • The Gotobeds, by Nervosas • Harrington Saints, “Upright Poor People Are Revolting LP Chris Mason 2. “My Shadow” by Citizen” b/w “Let’s Go Rob a • Hex Dispensers, Parallel 7” 3. “The Cult Song” Bank” 7” 1. Hurula, Vi är människorna våra föräldrar varnade oss för LP (Mandatory for any fan of the by Shannon And The Clams • Lenguas Largas, Come On In LP band. It came out on Red Lounge 4. “Oblivious” by Night Birds • The Dead Milkmen, Pretty Music 2. Cancers, Fatten the Leeches LP 3. Murmurs, Bound LP in 2011. Track it down.) 5. “Nothing Left” for Pretty People LP by The Feejee Mermaids • Pretty Pretty, Leather Weather 7” 4. Delay, Circle Change LP 5. Crow Bait, Sliding Through the Dave Williams Halls of Fate LP 1. Today Is The Day, Javier Cabral Bill Pinkel Animal Mother LP Top 5 Mexican Pop Punk Bands in Top 5 Podcasts (Besides the 2. Märvel, Hadal Zone Express LP Español to Youtube while You Work Razorcake Podcast of Course) That Chris Terry 1. Lenguas Largas, Come On In LP 3. Minus The Bear, Lost Loves LP 1. Division Minuscula I’ve Been Enjoying Lately 4. Code Orange, I Am King LP 2. Taller Para Niños • 99% Invisible 2. Teargas Rock 12” 3. Lansbury, 5. Ryan Adams, 1984 EP 3. Los Maledukados • Love and Radio 4. Bye Sammi • Snap Judgment Everything Went Static LP 4. Going Clear Eric Baskauskas 5. Los Garigoles • Radiolab • Gas Rag, Beats Off 12” • Serial by Lawrence Wright (book) 5. I interviewed my friend • Power Trip and Mammoth Grinder, Jeff Proctor live at Beat Kitchen, Top 5 Shows of Summer 2014 Billy Kostka Jessie Ann Foley on FictionWritersReview.com. • S.H.I.T. 7”s 1. Drive Like Jehu reunion show • Supercharger, Self-titled • Copyrights, Report at the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion, • Loli & The Chones, P.S. We Hate You • DiE, Vexed 7” Christina Zamora San Diego • OBN IIIs, Live in San Francisco 2. Recess Records Cavalcade of • Total Control, Typical System Top 5 Bands I Saw at Awesome Fest 1. Shellshag, Evan Wolff Clowns at Til-Two, San Diego: • Lamps, Under the Water under 1. Shellshag Underground Railroad To Candyland, the Ground AF pre-fest at The Hideout 2. DFMK, AF pre-fest at Soda Bar 2. Basement Benders, demo Lenguas Largas, Swing Ding Amigos, 3. Rumspringer, at Soda Bar 3. Marvin Berry And The New Treasure Fleet, and Blank Pages. Camylle Reynolds Sound, Bootleg 3. Burger-a-Go-Go at the • New Musk LP. Can’t forget the 4. Toys That Kill, at Soda Bar 5. 48 Thrills, at U31 4. Yuze Boys Observatory, Santa Ana: Dum handmade Musk meat cover, some 5. Black Rainbow, Self-titled LP Dum Girls, Shannon And The freaky DIY shit! Thanks everybody for another rad year. Love you all! See you next year! Clams, the Muffs, Colleen Green, • The Cruising Dairies Garrett Barnwell the Coathangers, Bleached, Peach by Brontez Purnell 1. Phenomenauts, Escape Velocity CD Craven Rock Kelli Pop, Teenage Burritos. • Cold Beat, Over Me LP, on repeat 2. Sterile Jets, Liquor Store CD 4. Blank Pages, Street Eaters, and • Crude Studs [Sacramento] 7”EP 1. Olytopia / Magical Unicorn Landistan Camp at Autonomous 3. The Frantix, My Dad’s a Fucking Nerve Beats at the Redwood, DTLA • Icky Boyfriends, Alcoholic CD 5. and Toys That Kill at the Fold live at 1-2-3-4 Go! Mutant Festival XVIII 2. Doing a Razorcake podcast 4. The J.B.’s, Funky Good Time: (Bootleg Theatre), Westlake, LA with Todd The Anthology CD 3. Cindy Crabb’s piece on writing 5. Aphex Twin, Syro CD Jimmy Alvarado in Doris #27 Five Albums I’ve Listened to in the George Rager Past Forty-Eight Hours Top 5 Songs I Keep Listening to • A Certain Ratio, To Each.... Over and Over • Bangles, Self-titled EP The Only 5 1. “Falling Like a Domino” • Bush Tetras, Boom in the Night Songs Dads Will Dance by Elton Motello • , The Modern Dance to at a Wedding... • Pretty Things, The Vintage Years Joe Evans III 5. Benny The Jet Rodriguez, 4. Silver Screams, Creep Joint Ryan Nichols Top 5 Record Stores I’ve Seen in ‘14 Underground Railroad To Scratch (Boston punk rock’n’roll) • Cold Circuits, Out of Hat Yai LP • Iris Records (Jersey City, NJ) Candyland, Winter Break, Needle 5. Atown Sluts, Steal Your Drugs • Moving out • Extreme Noise (, MN) Craft, Hillary Chillton at VLHS 7/03 ( punk rock) • The Great Sabatini, Dog Years LP • Grave Face Records (Savannah, GA) • Quitting coffee • Celebrated Summer (Baltimore, MD) Matt Average Nardwuar the Human Serviette • Lipstick Traces by Greil Marcus • Static Age Records (Asheville, NC) • Sonny Vincent, 1. Sauna, Cheap Date Cassette— Cyanide Consommé LP goodness on ! Sal Lucci John Mule • Matchess, Seraphastra LP 2. The Lopez, Travel Fast 1. Golden Pelicans LP It’s Fall and I Want to... • Kluster, Klopfzeichen LP and Cassette—Pittsburgh punk on 2. Crime, Murder by Guitar LP 1. D.I.Y. everything! Zwei Osterei LP Machine Age Records! 3. Ausmuteants, live at Gonerfest 11 2. Listen to ! • Advlts, Self-titled EP 3. Tubuloids, This Wave Sucks 4. Ausmuteants, Split Personalities LP 3. Sew a Crass patch on something. • Golden Pelicans, Self-titled 12”EP 7”—Vancouver surf punk! 5. Cal And The Calories, Demo 7” 4. Ride bikes to the record store 4. The Caffiends, Self-titled 5. Drink beer, bake a pie, and watch Matt Seward Cassette—Florida punk on Baldy Sean Arenas Army of Darkness with friends. 5. Cove, Self-titled LP Longhair Records! • Testors, Complete Recordings 4. Canadian Rifle, Deep Ends, tie 5. The Arrogants, Introducing 1976-1979 2 x LP Juan Espinosa with Living Alone, Self-titled CD—Wicked, French garage rawk • Chest Pain, Weltschmerz LP • Total Control, Typical System LP 3. Turntable Tour at Seasick on Dirty Water Records! • Black Wine, Yell Boss LP • White Wards, The Lowest Form, Records (travelling art show ft: Tim • Lenguas Largas, Doses at All Star Lanes in Eagle Kerr, Chris Shary, Kepi Ghoulie) Nighthawk Come On In Cassette Rock, CA; and White Wards, 2. Shallow Cuts, Storm Watch 7” • Billy Bragg, live • Ruined Families, Blank Language LP Cigarette Burns LP 1. Crow Bait, Sliding through the • Band, live • Hank Wood And The Halls of Fate LP • The Baseball Project, live Sean Koepenick Hammerheads, Stay Home! LP • Quitting smoking Import Albums from • Dillinger Four, Midwestern Songs of Matt Werts • Trying to understand the game 1. Dead Mechanical, the Americas and Vs. God LP reissues • Cass McCombs, of cricket OK Night (Waterslide) • Clayton Kershaw’s bid for 2014 Big Wheel and Others 2. Date Bait, NL Cy Young award and regular • , Pure Paul Silver I Spit on Your Grave (Century) season MVP • Hank Wood And the 1. World movie premiere of It’s 3. XTC, GO 2 (Toshikazu Ohtaku) Hammerheads, Stay Home! Gonna Blow: San Diego’s Music 4. Blue Cheer, Hello Tokyo, Bye Kayla Greet • Sneaks, Self-titled Underground 1986-1996 Bye Osaka (Live in Japan 1999) Top 5 songs That Bum Me out in a • Myriam Gendron, 2. The Dirty Nil record release (Captain Trip) Good Way Not So Deep as a Well show, Horseshoe Tavern, 5. Robyn Hitchcock, 1. Off With Their Heads, 3. Drive Like Jehu reunion show Obliteration Pie (Oak Tree) “Clear the Air” Meztli Hernandez with the Spreckels Organ, Balboa 2. Screeching Weasel, “Leather Jacket” Top 5 Records I Bought This Year Park, San Diego Toby Tober 3. RVIVR, “Spider Song” 1. Dum Dum Girls, 4. Awesomefest 8, all of it! Top 5 Movies I Have Recently Enjoyed 4. Descendents, “” Too True Loser Edition 5. Baby Ghosts, Maybe Ghosts LP 1. Particle Fever 5. Bad Religion, “Wrong Way Kids” 2. Generacion Suicida, Con la 2. Calvary Muerte a Tu Lado clear vinyl Replay Dave 3. The Internet’s Own Boy: The Kevin Dunn 3. Catholic Spit, A Pact with the • Tim Version, Ordinary Life LP Story of Aaron Swartz 1. Baby Ghosts, Maybe Ghosts LP Devil French pressing • Big Business, 4. Filth 2. Canadian Rifle, Deep Ends LP 4. Total Control, Typical System Here Come the Waterworks LP 5. The Galapagos Affair: Satan 3. So Cow, The Long Con LP 5. The Jesus And Mary • Black Rainbow, Self-titled LP Came to Eden 4. Ex-Cult, Midnight Passenger LP Chain, Psycho Candy reissue • Any Trouble, Self-titled LP 5. Hospital Jobs, The Believers LP • The wasted morning DJ on 104.9 Todd Taylor Michael Fournier FM in Gainesville • Total Control, Typical System Kurt Morris • Ex Hex, Rips LP • Delay, Circle Change LP tie Swing 1. Sun Kil Moon, Benji • Milltown Ink in Bondsville, MA Rev. Nørb State (book) by Michael T. Fournier 2. Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die • Reading with Joe Evans III, Mike • Cozy, Button by Button LP • Black Rainbow, Self-titled LP tie 3. Starflyer 59, Americana Faloon, and Larry Livermore in • Dials, “Schoolgirl” b/w Bite the Cactus Awesome Fest 8 4. (everything) Brooklyn on 10/10 and Jersey City “Nervous” 45 Edition (zine) by Adrian Chi 5. My old Razorcake podcasts on 10/11. • Sonny Vincent, • Iron Chic, The Constant One LP tie • Vampires, Every Kind of Light EP Cyanide Consommé CD Giuseppe Makes a Movie (movie) Mark Twistworthy • John Williams, • Spruce Bringsteen, Game On 10” • Hard Skin “We Are the Wankers” 7” • Per Purpose, Circle the Stains LP Butcher’s Crossing (novel) • ZHOD, Would You Rather...? LP tie No Hope (zine) by Marcos Siref • Anger House, Asleep 7” • Ausmuteants, new LP and live Mike Frame Rich Cocksedge Tommy Vandervort • The Gotobeds, 1. Ex Hex, Rips LP and live 1. Castro, Hidden Agenda 7” 1. Pegboy, Stiff Little Fingers, and Bad Poor People Are Revolting LP 2. Iron Reagan, Tyranny of Will CD 2. H.D.Q., When Worlds Collide 7” Religion in Cincinnati and Milwaukee • Lesser Beings, 3. Real Kids, 3. Low Culture / Needles//Pins, Split 7” 2. Patrick Houdek photography This Is All There Is Cassette Shake Outta Control CD 4. Dalaplan, Plikt Och Elande LP show at Township 4. Descendents, 5. Castro, Hidden Agenda 7” (so 3. at Gingerman Marty Ploy live with good it has to be in twice) 4. Red Scare Records, 10 Years of Top 5 Most Fun Shows I Threw in 2014 5. Dum Dum Girls, live and on record Your Dumb Bullshit compilation 1. Awesome Fest 8, Rishbha Bhagi 5. Going on a quick trip with San Diego, CA 8/29 to 9/31 Naked Rob 1. Lauryn Hill, Pegboy. Best dudes around. 2. Iron Chic, Turkish , Radio Valencia, SF, CA The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Summer Vacation, Bastards Of 1. Churchwood, 3: Trickgnosis LP 2. Franz Kafka, The Castle (book) Ty Stranglehold Young at VLHS 3/16 (Texas freak-blues) 3. , 1. Neighborhood Brats, Recovery LP 3. Rumspringer, Samsara, Wreck 2. The Hares, Smoking in Bed LP Bad Music for Bad People 2. Steve Adamyk Band, Dial Tone LP Of The Zephyr, Western Setting, (South San Antonio R’N’R) 4. Rene Daumal, Pataphysical 3. Forest of Fortune by Jim Ruland Rev Lee Peters at VLHS 2/15 3. John Schooley, The Man Who Essays (What is this shit?) 4. Dwarves, Invented Rock’n’Roll LP 4. Everybody Row, Dangers, Graf Rode the Mule around the World 5. Kendrick Lamar, 5. The Mants, Orlock, Moxiebeat at VLHS 6/28 CD (Texas blues trash) good kid, m.A.A.d city Destroyed by Fuzz 7” 48 THRILLS: I should be at least have some sort of That’s How It Go!Oh!Ohs!: CD expectation met. Though not snotty My choice of listening material when and slobbering, like I was expecting, leaving work is highly influenced by the RECORD REVIEWS Advlts kick out some catchy as hell preceding nine hours or so—if it’s been punk rock that is pretty dern good, a day in which I feel I have achieved and has more going on, as revealed something then I can hit ‘Random’ and in subsequent listens. The songs are will almost certainly be happy with the wound tight, with the bass bouncing outcome. However, it’s more usually off the drums, and the guitar jangling the case that, having dealt with petty and scratching up next to them. The office politics, dunderheads, and an IT vocalist has a sort of dry sound, and system that works to its own “let’s fuck you can hear the words come through with the users” approach, I’m in need nice and sort of clear. “It Hurts” brings of a musical elixir to help me regain my to mind early Wire, with the bass nice sense of self. I have a playlist consisting and strong in the mix, while the guitar of bands, artists, songs, and albums— skranks rickety notes, and there’s a dual all of which have the power to return vocal interplay. “Bag for My Head” is me to my former self. 48 Thrills has the standout due to its strong opening, just made that list with this, its second somewhat sassy vocal delivery, and the album and first release in four years. lines, “I hate your face! I need a bag The equation is simple, featuring big for my head!” sandwiched between a guitars and anthemic songs with hooks driving and super catchy riff. If I was aplenty, leading to a collection of to keep some sort of “best of...” list, refrains and choruses that nestle firmly then this one would be in it for sure. into my consciousness with ease. It’s –M.Avrg (Southpaw, southpawdistro@ the kind of music that gives me that "Garage trash to annoy dogs and your yahoo.com, southpaw-records.com) much needed reboot thus making the trip on a crowded bus infinitely more signifi cant other. It might even kill your AMERICAN MEMORIES: bearable. By the time I alight the Dreadful Night: Cassette vehicle, I find that I’m ready to bounce lawn and will defi nitely stain your carpet." It’s that mid-tempo, brooding, pretty- along for the half mile walk home and, –Matt Seward to-frantic-back-to-pretty screamo stuff as such, able to greet my wife and kids GUTTERS, THE: Self-titled: LP that kind of faded from the collective with a smile rather than a scowl. This radar ten or so years ago. It’s a genre is by far the best 48 Thrills release to that I still like, at least when it’s done date, much of which is down to the record play through. Then again, once Attitude/Shitfit,” as seamlessly as if well—and yeah, it’s done well here. all-round upbeat quality it possesses. I “I Don’t Want You” closes the record, they’d written the songs themselves. Think Amanda Woodward, Todos must acknowledge my own stupidity in the first thought, and rational response, The record features creepy-looking Caeran, or Book Of Caves. Made up that the first two notes of the excellent is to flip this record over and listen to it apocalyptic cover art and comes with of two guys; there are only five songs “No Excuses for Regrets” always lead again. –M.Avrg (Going Underground, a lyric sheet that includes English here, and, unfortunately, no lyrics me to believe I’m in for a cover of Jane goingunderground.storenvy.com) translations of their lyrics, a fold included. I was hoping these were epic, Wiedlin’s “Rush Hour”—even having out poster, and an “UnBaptismal world-weary tunes about humanity’s heard it over two dozen times. –Rich ARMADA, LA: Crisis: 12”EP certificate.” The certificate details unchecked desire for its own ruination, Cocksedge (Self-released, 48thrills@ Originally from the Dominican crimes of the church and encourages or maybe a treatise on Mandeville’s gmail.com, 48thrills.bandcamp.com) Republic, Chicago’s La Armada has listeners to renounce their Christian 1714 essay An Enquiry into the Origin been bringing the “Latino Hardcore faith. It fits the anti-religious and of Moral Virtue, or something lofty ACHTUNGS, THE: Full of Hate: LP Fury” to audiences for nearly ten years. radical political messages of the band. like that. I mean, hey, it’s screamo! You Lo-fi garage punk rock from this trio of Crisis is the follow-up to the band’s –Paul J. Comeau (Fat Sandwich, kinda gotta write about obtuse shit like trouble. Guitar distortion hangs over the 2012 self-titled debut on label Fat [email protected]) that, right? But the singer thanks “all the songs like a dense, buzzing fog, with Sandwich. That album was a milestone girls who made him bummed out” in the belligerent vocals buried in there— for La Armada as they transformed ADVLTS: Self-titled: EP the liner notes so that he had something though you can hear them—just not from the more straightforward hardcore It’s the cover art that drew me to this. to write songs about. Meaning these exactly clearly. There’s some attitude punk sound of previous albums and It’s their logo that looks to be made up are probably just break-up tunes. Still, that huffs and puffs amongst the driving drew in a wider array of influences of torn bits of paper shaping the letters, nice tape. –Keith Rosson (Lost State) tempos, urgent beats, and dirty guitar spanning punk, hardcore, and metal. running diagonally from the bottom growling. Just about every song on Crisis is a natural extension of that left corner to the upper right. When AMOEBAS: “Telephone” here is a keeper, but really, the ultimate forward evolution. Combining such an you’re sifting through the review boxes b/w “Ain’t About Her”: 7” standout of this record is the slow, late array of influences can be difficult to here at the Razorcake bunker, you have Time to shout from the rooftops, night burner “Feeling inside of Me.” pull off, but La Armada’s songwriting to rely on the old ways of choosing Modern Action has a new slab of vinyl Which alone is reason to snap this up. and their musicianship are more than up records, which is artwork, song titles, out! Amoebas put out one of my favorite It comes on unexpectedly after a string to the challenge. Few current bands can record label, ex-band members, and gut records of 2011 with their self-titled of mid to moderately fast rockers. The rival them in terms of technical skill, instinct. Those modes are not failsafe, 12” and I really couldn’t wait to hear bass gives this a morose feel, backed never mind having the chemistry these especially these days (we all know what they’ve got going on. Right off up by vocals that give the listener an guys have after playing together for so anything after 1985 is highly suspect). the bat, these are a couple of amazing idea of reflection and pangs of regret. long. Crisis includes not only a number But one of those applied methods is at songs but there is something slightly Then the guitars have a psychedelic of ripping new songs, but also allows least guaranteed to work ninety-five different going on here. It sounds less edge that really helps work this one the band a moment to reflect on their percent of the time. I applied cover trashy than their previous effort. A little into your brain. One of those songs roots. One track on side A of the record art, as described above, and song titles: more—I can’t say polished—but… you get up and put back on a couple is them blasting through a medley of “Bag for My Head,” “It Hurts,” and just different. Different and great! Like more times before letting the rest of the Bad Brains covers “Don’t Need It/ “Chopped in Half.” With that combo, much of what goes on over at Modern RAZORCAKE RECORD REVIEW • Are you really sending us a download card or a link to •It is very important to put a postal address on each GUIDELINES AND FAQS review? Seriously? That’s weak. Many of our contributors and every piece of music sent in. Many packages get don’t have fancy computers. Nope, we won’t review ’em. separated and given to different reviewers. • The address to send all review material is Razorcake, PO Box 42129, LA, CA 90042. You may address it to • You’re sending us a CD-R of a piece of vinyl you’re • Over a thirteen years of music reviews can be found at specifi c reviewers. Just make sure they’re active. releasing to cut on costs? Please don’t pull that stunt with us. razorcake.org. Use our handy "search" function on the site We know mail’s expensive, but we send full copies of the to see if your music has been reviewed. Tight. zine as a thanks to all who send us material to review (if • Full album art is required for a review. Pre-releases • Reviews may take six months. Be patient. We’re your address is provided). go into the trash. Don’t treat us like second-rate citizens. bi-monthly and have reviewers worldwide. We’re all volunteers here.

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Action, if you dig The Bodies or The whether or not you need this next to loss, as this EP is good. No doubt cycle that I have done for a release from Briefs, you know you will like it. Keep the original is your call. Apparently, Arndales are familiar with Marc Riley, Don’t Touch My Records and they ‘em coming guys! –Ty Stranglehold the original record was banned by the but there’s no nostalgia here. The have both been much-needed bright (Modern Action) police because of the lyrics on “So production on this record is modern- spots in an otherwise disappointing What.” It’s unclear if the lyrics had to sounding and the music is anything but cycle of reviews. Do your ears a favor: ANGER HOUSE: Asleep: 7” be cleaned up back then to get it back by-the-numbers. You likely already check out Bad Dates and Don’t Touch in the “before it was a bad word” into circulation. But, according to the know if this record is for you, as it My Records. –John Mule (Don’t Touch D.C.-sense. An incredibly accurate, liner notes, this recording features the surely has a limited audience (always My Records, donttouchmyrecords. charmingly sloppy, palpably passionate original lyrics. So if you are into doing a good thing) and I’m admittedly late bandcamp.com) throwback to , Embrace, A/B geek comparisons, feel free. I to the party. –Ryan Leach (In The Red, 3, and One Last Wish. Strained, speak- wonder if this will sell more than intheredrecords.com) BAD DOCTORS, THE: Burning City: LP yell vocals, plenty of repetition in the Fear’s re-recording. –Sean Koepenick Over a series of previous EPs, The lyrics, vintage tones, and a very fitting (antinowhereleague.com) AUDACITY: Juvajive: 10” Bad Doctors formulated a collection of production job make this one a definite A younger, looser recording session addicting new wave-influenced tunes “highly recommended” for fans of the AR-KAICS, THE: Self-titled: LP with small hints of the summer punk hit with a heavy nod to Devo. The synth- above trailblazers and current stuff ala Do the math: LP=more of what you machines that Audacity would become. driven sound that got me hooked on End Of A Year/. love. This is a full-length from a More of a curiosity than anything else, them is still present, but where records Great job, folks. –Dave Williams Richmond band whose singles have but it was very interesting. A long lost like the “Twilight of the Idols” b/w “Spit (Happy Ass) been full-on bankers for value if you’re record, with back story included in the It Out” 7” had a manic exuberance to into the ratchety end of the ‘60s punk liner notes, featuring their first drummer, them, Burning City feels darker. The ANTI-FLAG: A Document of Dissent: CD revival bands. Solid rock’n’roll with described as a man that mimics The exuberance is still there hiding beneath Twenty-six-song collection pretty overdriven guitars, snotty attitude, Minutemen’s George Hurley. The band the surface, but it is tempered by a sense much spanning the band’s recorded Bo Diddley beats, and choruses with as a whole resembles an ‘80s band on of gravitas, as in songs like “Departure output. So here, on one easy-to-digest excellent back ups. Too many bands the edge of the hardcore punk scene. (Letter by Letter),” and the title track. disc, you can follow the band’s sonic nowadays seem to think this sort of Too rough to be anything else but punk, Much of this gravitas is carried vocally, trajectory from their early spirit o’ 77 thing is easy to do. Those Thee types but too experimental and wild to sound with Matt McDermott delivering sound to their current, modern post- only walking the walk will falter similar to other punk bands. Buy this if his finest vocal performance of any hardcore one. Though never a big fan at some point. This band is the full you want to hear yet another phase of Doctors recording to date. Musically, of the band’s music, I have always package. Never has something so a band that’s been constantly evolving he and the rest of the band are equally respected the stances they take on unoriginal sounded so fresh. –Billups for almost a decade. Grade: B. –Bryan on point. The trio, Mcdermott (vocals, issues and causes they support. Nothing Allen (Windian, windianrecords.com) Static (Cut-Rate, cutraterecords.com / guitar), Luke Nally (bass, new here for longtime fans, but this Burger, burgerrecords.org) and electronics), and Dan Shields disc would make a great introduction to ARNDALES: Dog Hobbies USA: 12” EP (drums), have increased the dosage the band for casual listeners. –Garrett The Arndales are a thoroughly British BAD DATES: Self-titled: Cassette of both songwriting and musicianship Barnwell (Fat, fatwreck.com) post-punk group, featuring at least Surf punk. Fucking rad. If P.I.L.-era on this record. The result is not only one member of the Country Teasers. Johnny Rotten sang over X’s Billy some of the most nuanced tracks in the ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE: I never got into the Country Teasers Zoom, and they had a steam engine for Doctors catalog, but a host of catchy We Are…The League…Uncut: CD (everyone around me seemed to— a rhythm section behind them, it might earworms sure to infect your brain with A new recording of this classic? hell, even JA released that The Rebel be good enough to compete with Bad contagious tunes. While three of the Yep, it is true. It sounds good, but record), and that might have been my Dates. This is the second review in this songs on Burning City appeared on the previous Re Animate EP, as a whole, that melts faces. They have screeched BATON ROUGE: Totem: LP someone not from Gainesville took a this album feels like a new evolution and squealed their way into my heart. Artfully crafted, spacious, modern, swing at this, but what a big swing it is. for the Bad Doctors. –Paul J. Comeau I had no idea they’ve been putting out wide-awake-dream-sequences with Dillinger Four / Tiltwheel style guitar (FDH, [email protected]) recordings since ‘98! Rapegoat opens Slinty Jehu influences. These songs attacks coupled with the heart-string with an original by the name of “Ass sound so meticulously assembled; it pulling lyrics reminiscent of This Is My BAD IDEAS, THE / RED KATE: Split: 7” Blood.” It’s what you’d expect of a would only seem natural that members Fist! and the Arrivals all sung back with Right off the bat, The Bad Ideas’ tune by that name. For their second of this band were architects. Mapping a charming British accent much like frontwoman dominates the mix, ditty, they cover Celtic Frost’s “Into out the album with AutoCAD-like Alan McNaughton of Giant Haystacks wielding a reverb-drenched howl the Crypt of Rays.” They play it a little precision. These are as much blueprints / Airfix Kits or Frankie Stubbs of à la Siouxsie Sioux to great effect. slower and a little simpler but a great as songs. This is music that fuels your Leatherface. A full-length as a debut The anarcho-leaning gothy sound is cover choice for them. I don’t know mind. Just throw it on and let the guitars is quite the tall order but most of the complemented by discordant riffs and how these two bands got hooked up, sustain your brain. –Daryl (Adagio 830 necessary components for a pleasurable blunt, driving drums. “I’m Stuck” but it’s a cohesive little split. –Jackie / Purepainsugar / Bakery Outlet) listen seem to be in place, and while it’s mixes in some well-placed ranting, Rusted (Mystery School Records, too soon to say for sure if they keep the delivered in that perfect sarcastic mysteryschoolrecords.com) BEACH SLANG: Who Would Ever Want momentum going Bear Trade could riot grrrl sneer. Not usually my jam, Anything So Broken?: 7”EP turn out to be something truly magical. but this band nails it (despite the BASTARD CHILDREN: My first blush, knee-jerk reaction –Juan Espinosa (Everything Sucks / mystifying refrain of, “Wussification To Kill in Cold Blood: LP to this was an admittedly obscure Dead Broke, everythingsucksmusic. of America!” which sounds like a Bastard Children were an excellent one—“Piles”-era Alter Boys as com, beartrade.bandcamp.com) misplaced Glenn Beck segment). Red 1990s political hardcore band that interpreted by the Psychedelic Furs. Kate’s tracks on the flip side are less reminds me of The Pist. This LP Several subsequent listens later, I BILDERS: 2014: 7” immediately arresting, but subdued contains two of their cassette-only stand by that assessment. What’s it This 7” puts the “ear” in eerie. Bilders might be what works best for them releases from 1996 and 1998, as well mean? Four tunes comprised of mid- macabre, poetic vocals remind me anyway. “On My Mind” has a plaintive as an unreleased demo. Members of tempo rhythms, quasi-raspy vocals, of Vincent Price’s “Thriller” intro ‘90s alt-rock feel that overshadows the Bastard Children went on to play in and meaty, punky pop hooks buried monologue, with what I thought was more punk, less memorable follow-up better remembered acts including under a gorgeous wash of ringing synth—turns out it’s e-violin? Neat. track. All in all, a worthwhile slice of Religious War, Wehrmacht, and guitars. These cats would’ve been Since Halloween is coming up, I Midwestern punk rock. –Indiana Laub Poison Idea. National Dust keeps revered in the underground of the ‘80s might just put the speakers in the front (Mills, millsrecordcompany@gmail. putting out these amazing reissues and worshipped as indie-pop gods in window, blaring this creepiness to keep com, millsrecordcompany.com) of little known or forgotten bands. the ‘90s, and they would’ve deserved the little shits who stole our kids’ Radio Anyone who ever played in an every accolade laid at their feet. Given Flyer out of our yard. Enjoyable and BARBATOS / RAPEGOAT: Split: 7” overlooked hardcore band should the roughly twenty-year “what’s old practical. –Jackie Rusted (SmartGuy, This split took quite a few spins; it know that someone, somewhere is new” nostalgia cycle, they could smartguyrecords.com) just wasn’t grabbing me. I sat down might end up rediscovering them. conceivably become the next big thing. and gave it another shot toady Side A Something as great as these Bastard –Jimmy Alvarado (Dead Broke) BLACK WINE: Yell Boss: LP is two songs from the Japanese metal Children tapes will never die, thanks Bands should take more risks. I band Barbatos. I haven’t really listened to an uncommonly enthusiastic label. BEAR TRADE: Blood and Sand: LP understand that you’re good at one to metal consistently since sometime It’s not just sentimentality. This potent Sunshine state melodic pop punk by thing and you’ve spent your entire around the late ‘90s. Today I can shit is legitimately worth archiving. way of merry ol’ England. I guess creative life revolving around this finally hear it. Barbatos is of the stuff –Art Ettinger (National Dust) it was only a matter of time before one thing, but human experience isn’t monochromatic. Fact: Pushing a dose of catharsis. Here, however, the BRICK MOWER: relevant today. Even though it’s not a outside of your comfort zone makes no-hope vibe seems like emo grade self- Teenage Graceland: LP constant, there is a definite similarity more engaging art. Black Wine do indulgence, focusing on the inability to I hear ‘90s melodic punk, like to The Avengers on some tracks, none just that. They bring a lot to the form relationships with others because Jawbreaker or J Church, before “emo” more so than the opener, “Stenad Stad,” table, and what they bring to this people are fake and shitty and you’re became the mainstream modifier. I which musically and vocally is a case potluck is nourishing. Each member too depressed to move. There comes hear Acid Fast on the West Coast and of taking a time machine back to late gets behind the microphone, sharing a point where it may be worthwhile labelmates Black Wine. I hear strained 1970s San Francisco and listening to songwriting duties. It’s energizing to to look at the problem inside of that. vocals and plodding, mid-tempo Penelope Houston and co. Easily one hear three voices—each tuneful and Mighta been able to roll with a 7” melodies that never pay off. What I of the best discographies I’ve heard in distinguished—filtered through three single’s worth of material, but an LP don’t hear is Brick Mower, a fully a few years. –Rich Cocksedge (Man In distinct styles. On “No Reason,” Black was too much. –Vincent (Dirt Cult) actualized band whose sound gels the Decline, manindeclinerecords.com) Wine swirl like Hunchback, then rage sum of their parts into something fresh. like Hüsker Dü on “Magnet Time.” B-LINES: Opening Band: LP The earnestness kept me listening, , THE: The Way: CD Closing the A Side, a solo Miranda When I saw this in my review pile I but the all-too-familiarity left me New record from these punk legends Taylor mellows into a creeping melody got really excited. A few years ago I wanting. –Sean Arenas (Don Giovanni, carries on the quality that was evident on “Familiar,” then they shift up on saw these guys play a house show in dongiovannirecords.com) in their last effort, 2006’s Flat Pack “Piccoline” into a closing riff that Seattle on the last night of their tour Philosophy. Steve Diggle and Pete would floor Tenement. Although the from Vancouver. They fucking rocked. BURNING KITCHEN: Shelley splitting the songwriting cover of The Guess Who’s “No Time” I bought their self-titled record and Many Wonder about the Meaning duties. Shelley sticks to “lost love” is solid, I just wish those vinyl grooves never heard from them again till now. of Life…(1993-2000): 2 x LP ideas, while Diggle is more off kilter. were saved for another original song. B-Lines are a snotty, trashy, lo-fi, As discographies go, this thirty- Shelley shines on the title track and Fact: It’s satisfying to be treated to a punk rock’n’roll mixture. two track collection of a Swedish “Virtually Real.” Diggle goes for broke potluck where all the guests didn’t Songs are fast and straight to the point band active for most of the 1990s on “People are Strange Machines” and opt for casserole and bean dip. Highly with a ton of energy on every track. stands out as a raging success. That “Chasing Rainbows/Modern Times.” recommended. –Sean Arenas (Don Lots of attitude and confidence in the accomplishment is not just because it The tough-as-nails rhythm section of Giovanni, dongiovannirecords.com) vocals, especially in the title track of documents a fine band but also because Danny Farrant on drums and Chris the record, dissing on opening bands it’s easy to listen to the whole thing in Remington anchors the proceedings BLANK PAGES: Self-titled: LP that just don’t try. I really love the one sitting, a feat which eludes the with bombast. Be sure to seek out four Musically, this ain’t bad. It sounds lyric: “cus being embarrassing is more collective works of some bands. I put songs from this session that didn’t make like a European take on the appealing / than lying at home in bed this fact down to one thing—there is a the record (but should have in these Pacific Northwest’s downer punk. and staring at my ceiling,” from the consistency to the strength of the song days of bonus content). The playing on Unfortunately, despite the competent same track. The ending of the record writing from start to finish, making it The Way is stellar throughout, so why musicianship, the songs all seem to is these four Canadians freaking out almost compulsory to not skip sides you wouldn’t pick this up makes as blend together, leaving me without on each of their respective instruments. or tracks. For anyone new to Burning much sense as listening to Celine Dion a single track that popped out. Even Great, spastic in the same Kitchen, the crux of what it did—or for pleasure. –Sean Koepenick (Pledge worse are the lyrics. While I’m not vain as stuff found on Burger Records. does, as the band is back together / 1-2-3-4 Go!) thrilled with the human race and enjoy Here’s hoping they get out on tour now—is an up-tempo, melodic thrust my share of bummer songs (hell, again soon! –Kayla Greet (Hockey which accompanies lyrics that had CAL AND THE CALORIES: Demo: 7” albums), I prefer my negative outlooks Dad / Nominal) crosshairs placed on many societal Lumpy And The Dumpers by any other and despondency to be accompanied by and political issues that are sadly still name is Cal And The Calories. Same shit-fi recording, weirdo lyrics (“I know of layering her song melodies, building between 1976-1980 and helped define Tell a Soul without realizing there were I’m ugly and I smell like Spam”) and to a climax and then giving a very punk with loud guitars and attitude. “Hot four LPs and eight years between. But stupid asshole vocals but not hardcore- satisfying resolution which makes each Wire My Heart” is the classic you may not caring. Because it’s genius. If your tinged like Lumpy. Can’t say it’s more song complete. Sounds like a mix of have heard. All their songs are that good. freshman year roommate had given “poppy,” though. In other words, buy Blondie, , Portishead, B- You can now use the Internet to order you a dubbed tape of this album in pre- this fucking record, knucklehead. 52’s, Go-Go’s, and Joanna Gruesome… a collection of singles we would have internet 1984, you would have thanked –Sal Lucci (Spud Boy Incorporated, at least those bands came to mind killed for at one point. This LP contains them for changing your life. It’s like spottedrace.bigcartel.com) throughout the course of listening to the three impossible to find singles that the-first-time-you-heard-Murmur- this LP. You can’t really pigeon-hole launched the legend of San Francisco’s good. Hasn’t left my car disc player CANCERS: “Dig” b/w “Moral Net”: 7” them; it’s an authentic sound. Great LP. self-proclaimed first rock’n’roll band since my review materials arrived. Catchy-as-hell, filthy-as-shite –Camylle Reynolds (Crime On The as well as some good demos and such. Hopefully that and dropping this many pop from Lenny Unfun and Ella Dead Moon, crimeonthemoon.com) It doesn’t get better than this. –Billups ‘80s rock analogies will clue you in that Dog. Truthfully, I’m already pretty Allen (Superior Viaduct) Sliding… is a shower, and a grower, goddamned worn out on the grunge- COVE: Self-titled: LP unrestricted by genre, and will easily revival thing, but this is a few cuts Somewhere between Converge and CRIME: Murder by Guitar: LP be a contender, if not the winner, for above most of the derivative Nirvana Copout/His Hero Is Gone, lies Cove. This release took me by surprise. full-length of the year. –Matt Seward and/or Dino Jr worship that dum-dums True Memphis grit. Dirty black hardcore Heard some Internet speculation that (Don Giovanni) still think is fresh and clever. Great pop stinking of blood and excrement from it was coming, but I believed that like songs, awesome vocals, and simple, the gutters of Boxtown. The soul I believe most Internet speculation. CRUDE STUDS: Self-titled: 7”EP memorable riffs. The B Side is even a difference between Stax and Motown. Their original 7”s plus nine unreleased Crude Studs has been a punk staple in clean(ish) ballad that hits the intended The LP is more polished sounding songs? Too much for my brain to the Sacramento scene going on three target dead-on. Killer. –Dave Williams than their live sound, but the listener handle. Crime is what punk rock should years, and are seriously one of my (Dead Broke / Dirt Cult / Kandy Kane / has the opportunity to hear every start/ sound like. Or maybe The Pagans—I favorite bands. This is their first EP Off The Books) stop and every nook and cranny of go back and forth a lot. Crime channels and it’s well worth the wait. They’ve each track. Cove finally delivers their the essence of “fuck you” perfectly got a serious no-frills approach. What COLD BEAT: Over Me: LP distinct southern hardcore to vinyl and through their searing guitar tone. I was you see is what you get: simplistic, I’m impressed with this band. Hannah it is absolutely exciting and absolutely surprised cleaner versions of some catchy, Cramps-style punk rock with a Lew, best known for being in Grass essential. –Matt Seward (Fat Sandwich, of their songs existed, but that does menacing surf-rock edge. Sophia has Widow, fronts and hits the low notes fatsandwichrecords.com) nothing to diminish their power, even if great range in her voice, able to reach on bass, with members Kyle on guitar they have songs like “Gangster Funk” those high, piercing wails—very from Neon Piss and Bianca Sparta from CRIME: Murder by Guitar: LP or “Maserati.” –Sal Lucci (Superior Siouxsie And The Banshees—but Erase Errata. They create a sound all One of the downsides of the Internet is Viaduct, superiorviaduct.com) it’s gnarlier, dirtier, all tattered edges. their own. Hannah’s ethereal vocals are the loss of mythology following certain Highlights include “Video Drome,” at the forefront, ambient with layered, bands. San Francisco’s Crime is one CROW BAIT: which gets all whipped up into a hot, harmonized echoes; it both soothes and of those groups written largely in lore. Sliding through the Halls of Fate: CD frothy mess with a progression that propels. Cold Beat has an undeniable For a time, no one could acquire their I had to check my copy of Three Tickle walks the razor’s edge of anxiety new wave sound, with its intricate singles and few could hear them on Guys to make sure this was the same attack and pure chaos. “Ground post-punk melodic guitar, synthesizers, worn mix tapes. And nobody deserved Crow Bait. Sliding… is like loving Chuck Night” is one minacious and mid-tempo beat. Each song is the mystique more than Crime. The Sorry Ma Forgot to Take Out the Trash motherfucker. Sophia has her nails incredibly catchy. Hannah has a way band released only three proper singles and the next album you buy is Don’t dug in tight with fed-up, shrill hollers of tenacious spite, all propelled with it yet? It’s the newest from No Idea Thank you, DFMK. Very highly was sixteen and completely immersed knuckle-dragging, almost primal Records. As much as I kid, you can’t recommended. –Rene Navarro (Blood in the UKHC scene. The Crippens from bass and throbbing drums. Only one knock the label for lack of quality. Pact, Bloodpactrecordstijuana.com / up North hit a middle ground between hundred pressed. GET IT. –Camylle Predictability? Well, maybe a little. We Detesta, detestarecords.webs.com / the U.K. blurrcore bands and U.S.- Reynolds (Phono Select) all have our tastes and if I ran my own Barba Negra) influenced bands like the Stupids and label I’m sure people would quickly Intense Degree. The most notable thing CURTIS HARDING: Soul Power: CD pinpoint exactly the type of music I DIRTY NIL, THE: “Cinnamon” about the band was they used stage The album is called Soul Power, he’s on actually like to listen to. Though Var b/w “Guided by Vices”: 7” props and had an almost lightweight the cover with a neck tattoo, smoking, has a predisposition for signing and This record kind of blindsided me Gwar stage show. This disc has the and yet this sounds like music you could releasing bands like Dead Bars, at least in that it certainly didn’t sound like debut LP that is an absolute stormer buy at Starbucks. Bland, professional their songs are good. Grade: B. –Bryan what I’d expect to be coming out on as well as their first Peel session, R&B scuzzed up and made casual just Static (No Idea, noidearecords.com) Fat Wreck. This Canadian band deals possibly the best thing they did (I think enough to come off quote unquote real. more in raucous garage rock/pop than this only because I remember lying in I can appreciate that he can sing, that DEVIANTS, THE: Barbarian Princes: it does in the more standard, melodic bed listening to the actual session the there’s a suggestion of Bill Withers and Live in Japan 1999: CD + DVD punk fare that I’m accustomed to from night before school). As far as I am Cody Chesnutt in the music, and that Wow, what in god’s holy name is the label, but I’m guessing it could well concerned, Boss Tuneage’s entire retro when he goes off-script (the garage this? Imagine a nasally Alan Rickman be a case of testing the waters as part catalogue is mandatory for anyone pop of “Surf” and “I Don’t Wanna aping Bob Dylan over dull, dull, dull, of a diversification in its roster, much with even the slightest interest in the Go Home,” the dirty blues of “Drive dull, rock’n’roll. The sound is good, like Epitaph has done over the past late ‘80s U.K. hardcore scene. For me, My Car,” the synth bubbles in “The so if you’re into these guys go ahead decade. Whatever the reason for this it’s much more than a history lesson; Drive”) he hints at the wider, out-there and pick it up, but I didn’t like it choice, I back it one hundred percent. it’s part of what made me who I am. Shuggie Otis or Prince possibilities one bit. Yuck. –The Lord Kveldulfr The Dirty Nil manages to grab my Class. –Tim Brooks (Boss Tuneage, he may have in store. But right now (Gonzo Multimedia) attention pretty damn quickly with bosstuneage.com) he’s making some easy throwback “Cinnamon”—the musical equivalent stuff in the age of Devonte Hynes, DFMK: Negatividad: 7” of a firework exploding gloriously in DON’T: “89” b/w “Dead End Drive”: 7” Frank Ocean, FKA twigs. He could do Another solid release from this my ears—before the wonderfully titled Portland four-piece made up of three something remarkable. He just needs to Tijuana, Mexico powerhouse. Since “Guided by Vices” snaps, crackles, and old dudes and a lady who provides catch up. –Matt Werts (Burger) the last few times I’ve been lucky pops more than my favorite breakfast whiny, Bif Naked-esque vocals. Trashy enough to catch these guys live has cereal could ever hope to do. This is rock’n’roll, but not in an intentional or DEAD BARS: Self-titled: 7” been in the USA I almost forgot how sheer brilliance. –Rich Cocksedge (Fat campy way. Their cover of “Ghost on Guess what label this was released on, great their double guitar sound is Wreck, fatwreck.com) the Highway” sounds just as shitty as the guys! Gruff pop punk, more or less (one of the members can’t cross the songs they wrote themselves. –Alanna inspired by the vocal delivery of bands border). Angel and Boti riffing off each DOCTOR AND THE CRIPPENS: Why (Dead Broke, deadbrokerec@ like , Leatherface, other is a true treat. These recordings Fired from the Circus: 2 x LP/CD gmail.com, deadbrokerekords.com) and Jawbreaker? Check! A “gritty” remind me just how much I love bands Once again Boss Tuneage delivers album cover, either drawn in oddly like the Descendents, T.S.O.L., and another crucial reissue from the vaults. DWARVES: Invented Rock’n’Roll: bright colors or a photo in black and Avail. This is so unpretentiously punk As always, I wonder how many people Cassette white? Check! At least one member of and straightforward you can’t help give a fuck apart from the couple of The Dwarves!!! What I love about the a band you already know and love (ex- being the guy who starts the circle hundred who were actually there. This Dwarves is that despite the myriad Big Eyes)? Check! Have you guessed pit. I hadn’t been that guy in years. is another record that came out when I changes in lineup and sound over the years, their records are always, I mean guttural hollering that sounds about music has variety, but comes together be saying two things to yourself: “Well, always, good. They just fucking rock as fitting with the music as a fluffy cohesively as a singular piece, and that was badass,” and “Holy shit, did I start to finish every single time. How meringue pie with bitumen. I’m all the vocals are a nice snotty whine that just drink that entire six pack?!” –Daryl can that be? How can a band be this for experimentation and playing has an underlying sense of urgency (Putojefe, [email protected]) consistently good and fresh not just mix-and-match with different genres, that give the songs a sense of honesty. over years, but decades?!? I mean, but this is proof that not all such Eureka California might have been EXTERNAL MENACE: Christ…I got my first Dwarves record efforts bear edible fruit. –Jimmy more appropriately called Sacramento Coalition Blues: LP in 1990 and a quarter century later Alvarado (Universal Warning, California, given the semblance they Scotland’s External Menace were an they still beat me senseless with every universalwarningrecords.com) have to bands from that fair city (that’s a almost perfect distillation of the best of record. The Dwarves brand means really good thing). –Vincent (HHBTM) the whole UK82 head trip—they don’t quality rock’n’roll, goddammit, and ETTES: Cry on My Shoulder: 7” go for the full-on thrash-o-rama of, say, this record lives up to expectations. For whatever reason, I have not spent a EWA BRAUN: Love Peace Noise: CD the Exploited or Disorder, but the same Of course, these days (i.e., the last whole lot of time with this band, outside Love Peace Noise was originally fury that charged those bands is very four records or so) those expectations of that LP by the Parting Gifts that a released in ‘94. Ewa Braun was an much in evidence behind most of their consist of songs that alternate between few members did with the illustrious anarcho punk band from Poland who repertoire here, as are bits that recall bouncy, melodic, quasi-pop tunes with Greg Cartwright a few years back. I played the sort of mathy post-hardcore the Partisans, Abrasive Wheels, One ultra-underbelly lyrical content and have seen probably a dozen releases by that was really popular in the Midwest Way System, and others. Not that they full-on punk rock ragers, along with The Ettes over the years and just have at the same time. However, these guys sound wholly derivative, ‘cause they a few forays into other genres here not ever picked one up. This single, are passionate about revolution and handily eked their own niche within and there. And this record doesn’t on the fantastic D.C. label Windian sticking it to The Man and won’t be that well-worn terra, as evidenced disappoint in that regard either, but it Records, is a very cool slice of girl content with the art school banality of on this collection of assorted singles pains me greatly to say that it seems group pop and garage vibe. Both songs bands playing in the same style. There’s and comp tracks. They swing for the just a wee bit formulaic this time. are excellent and show that this band a raw quality to Ewa Braun making it fences throughout, seemingly hell bent Oh well. Don’t care. It’s the fucking has some real songwriting chops. I will almost seem like they came up with that every track that bore their name Dwarves, man! If anything, this record have to finally get around to checking this sound independently of the similar would be an anthem, and they largely is a bit more heavily weighted on the out more by this long-running band. things going on in the States. –Craven succeed, so much so that one can’t rager side than the last several releases, –Mike Frame (Windian) Rock (Nikt Nic Nie Wie, nnnw.pl) help but wonder why they ain’t on the and there’s less production value on backs of more jackets. Nice addition this record than we’ve gotten used to, EUREKA CALIFORNIA: Crunch: LP EXTENDED SUICIDE: Self-titled: MLP to the collection any punk aficionado so the overall effect is what I imagine Pleasant pop offerings from Happy Charred, fast hardcore punk from who manages to pick up one of the five would be the sonic equivalent of having Happy Birthday To Me are not unusual, Denmark. They nail the prerequisite hundred copies floating around. Also my skin taken off with a blowtorch and and Eureka California (no comma, and speedy blastbeat parts, but are still able includes a bonus 7” with four tracks. enjoying it. The Dwarves!!! –The Lord from Athens, GA, not Eureka, CA) is to keep in interesting with pummeling –Jimmy Alvarado (Loud Punk) Kveldulfr (Burger / Greedy) no exception. This platter offers eleven slowdowns and feedback-infested fun scrappy pop songs with a punk bent intros. This isn’t Ktown HC; Extended FLESH LIGHTS: “No Longer” ECHOES: The Pursuit: CD from a two-piece on guitar, vocals, and Suicide hail from Odense and play a b/w “You Don’t Know”: 7” Musically, this is heavy on the drums. The songs range from happy, to style that would feel more at home on This band is called Flesh Lights. Let’s atmospherics—lots of echo, howling smartass (see “I Bet You Like Julian Kangaroo than Hjernespind. Blunt and just get that out of the way. At least feedback, and the like. All well and Cope,” which uses its title as half the visceral, this band plays from their guts. three people (or two, if this band runs good until the singer chimes in with lyrical content), to introspective. The When these eight songs are over, you’ll by majority rule) thought that over, decided it was a good idea, and went thread. I’m liking the insolent attitude and everything just goes wrong. It’s a Hill game; this stuff gets right under for it. Okay. Anyway, what came of “Kennel Cough,” the wound-up different RPM so I’m already annoyed your skin. I listened to this as autumn forth when I threw this record on was energy of “Smokin’ Crack with Jeff,” and is seventeen minutes long—further weather slowly crept in and it gave not the obnoxious shock rock the and the fact that after listening to annoyed as I realize it’s just a bunch me chills. – Kayla Greet (Peterwalkee, name suggested, but some perfectly “Bushwick Boomerang,” complete of dumb noise. Imagine if peterwalkeerecords.com) reasonable, jangly, poppy garage punk. with its style surf guitar songs never got to the good part and “You Don’t Know” is decent, but “No solo kind of thing in the middle, I go they just kept fucking around forever. GERBIA: Lâche L’école: LP Longer” clearly deserves its Side A around singing, “Like a boomerang! This reminds me of how and why About ten years ago I clamored loudly status; it’s as catchy as a cleaned-up Like a boomerang!” doing my best Fucked Up let me down by selling and repeatedly for French-speaking Future Virgins single, and there’s this impersonation of the vocals, while out and making crappy albums. You folks to give up the crackpot quest of endearingly goofy guitar lead between those around me look at me as though might want this, but probably not, if singing en anglais, as French was a the verses that I just can’t get over. I’m some sort of dipshit. But who you already have Hidden World. –Rene perfectly serviceable rock language It’s the kind of thing you might put on cares, this is rock’n’roll babs. So much Navarro (Tankcrimes) and they couldn’t sound any stupider in the car with your dad to keep him good stuff on this album. –M.Avrg singing in French than they already reasonably happy while you listen to (Snot Releases, snotreleases.com) GASCHAMBER: did singing in English. I stand by said something you’re into. –Indiana Laub Kairos Will Erase: Cassette clamor to this day, although I never (Twistworthy, twistworthyrecords@ FREEZE, THE: Undercover: CDEP First of all, I’ve got to say this banked on the fact that a full album of gmail.com, twistworthy.com) New stuff from The Freeze? Bring it on! A packaging is gorgeous. Hand screened Francophonia would send me scuttling furious blast of in-your-face punk. Covers image of a bird, on cardstock that’s off to Google® Translate quite the way FLESH WOUNDS: Self-titled: LP of The , Nervous Eaters, and been origami-ed around this cassette it does ((for the record, the album title One of those records you know is The Germs. All played with polish and case. The sounds inside though, are apparently means “Loose School,” and going to be good, just from looking at precision by Cape Cod’s finest. One absolutely eerie and terrifying for the band name is either Lithuanian for the cover (this one being a line drawing original rounds out the set. Yes, this one ninety percent of the release. Gas “respect,” or the name of a mythical of a left hand with an eye in the middle, is short. But you still need it. I guarantee Chamber is super creepy, yet makes kingdom peopled by large members of goop, or something of that nature flying it. –Sean Koepenick (bhjrecords.com, tranquil and atmospheric noise collages. the rodent family)) ((also, for what it’s off, and then there are these things at [email protected]) It emits a feeling of wandering around worth, the band are hardy Quebecois the bottom like... I have no clue, but the woods near the water with faint fur trappers, not silly French kniggits)). they’re tube-like and dangling there FUCKED UP: Year of the Dragon: 12”EP reminders of a highway in the distance. That largely irrelevant linguistic note with drops of either blood, or water, The first song is the right amount A few minutes in sounds of wind, aside, this record sounds kinda like or both around them). Sure enough, of gritty with a nice combination of chills, creaking wood, and rippling what hardcore records started sounding as soon as the needle glides into the guitar riffs. The bass has enough space water creep in. Then gradually sounds like thirty years or so ago—where, groove some urgent and revved-up to stand out before being thrown in a of shouting come in like a residual instead of trying to compress itself punk rock comes blasting out of the Fucked Up blender. Serve iced and memory of domestic violence hidden into a violent new pocket dimension speakers. Belligerent, rabid dog style prepare for brain freeze. The second in nature. In their insert they describe of anger and energy, things started vocals, spitting out the words in rapid song’s ironically titled “Disorder,” but the release as “a gash into their home stretching out, with longer songs, and fire with slobber all over the mic and is exactly two minutes long and just life.” Ambient, yet frightening and an emphasis on musicianship and surrounding area. Then there’s the vile- a tad bit too simple and cookie cutter sorrowful. Sporadically, they crash into getting a good recording. This, to me, sounding guitar scratching out chords for me to get that into, but I can’t instruments with a full band that sounds was a pretty dopey way to go, since and putridity over the bass and drums resist bobbing along to a well-played like Nux Vomica. This record could the whole hardcore paradigm was that sound like they’re hanging on by a punk track. Then you flip the record easily be the soundtrack to a Silent created by and for people who didn’t really give a shit about musicianship is stellar. –Indiana Laub (Twistworthy, messy burrito to. I was able to finish sound without over-extending it. The or getting a good recording in the first [email protected], said burrito and wash my hands just in meat is still there, and it’s ready to eat. place. Oh well, toute m’énarve! BEST twistworthy.com) time for the last song to finish. What Are you a pathological smart-ass who SONG: “Tirez le messenger.” BEST perfect timing! Was some kind of daydreams of weirdo punk records SONG TITLE: “Médiocrité sans GODSTOMPER / TERLARANG: Split: LP science or hoodoo involved? I don’t that take the genre and wring it out frontiers.” FANTASTIC AMAZING The Bay Area’s longest-running know! I do know that Golden Pelicans like a pair of wet undies? Pick this up. TRIVIA FACT: Although I’m all for duo Godstomper add are as good on record as they are live. –Daryl (12XU) Francophones singing in French, this another drop to the proverbial bucket They have a song about escaping New business with the space between the of seemingly endless releases that Jersey. It must have been written for GRAND COLLAPSE: end of the word and the colon and the date back to the early ‘90s. Evidently me, because I escaped New Jersey! Far from the Callous Ground: LP not capitalizing all the words in the not much has changed with these Actually, I talked to singer King G once I didn’t quite know what to expect from song titles has really got to go. –Rev. guys since then. There’s very little and he said it’s about his ex-wife. Good this, a band featuring the progeny of one Nørb (Corps et records) transition from the Saturday Morning enough! Also, there’s a song called of the more respected U.K. punk bands Powerviolence EP to the Heavy Metal “Pissing in a Puddle of Puke,” which of the early ‘80s on vocals and who GHOST KNIFE: Garrote Guarantee: 7” Vomit Party LP to this record. They still has gotta be the best song title ever, or cite Propagandhi as a major influence. The Ghost Knife is one of the coolest sound like a boombox with a cassette at least since the last time I made that Lo and behold, this translates into and weirdest freshwater fish in the of Napalm Death’s Scum thrown into a proclamation. If I have to complain astute U.K. hardcore with its abundant world, and apparently it is also one of tumbling laundry dryer. Terlarang from about something, and I do, it’s that all metal influence wielded as a potent the year’s better efforts in power pop Malaysia’s offerings are more varied the songs on this record aren’t called augmentation to their sound. Echoes punk. This band features members in style, alternating between spastic “Pissing in a Puddle of Puke.” –Sal of Slayer’s, um, mellower moments of J Church, Riverboat Gamblers, grindcore and straight-forward thrash. Lucci (Total Punk) come to the fore when they ratchet High Tension Wires, and so on— ACXDC fans would probably foam at the tempos down, and the soothing everyone punk already knows this the mouth over Terlarang’s side of the GOTOBEDS, THE: sounds of Broken Bones’ “” by now, but I’ve been ignoring the split. –Juan Espinosa (Suburban White Poor People are Revolting: LP approach when they don’t. Shit’s tight, hype because, honestly, I don’t know; Trash / Grind Father / Riotous Outburst This is the sound of tinkering. Songs pissed, and comes off sincere, making people make mistakes. Now I know / Nuclear Alcoholocaust / Beat The being played by those who have dug this a definite winner. –Jimmy Alvarado that Garrote Guarantee offers a little Meat / Dog Down / Active Rebellion / deep into the vaults and emerged (1859, 1859records.bandcamp.com) bit of everything (within the scope of Distrozione / No Bread / Placenta) knowing that there’s more to the the aforementioned power pop punk tired routines that get played out GREAT DISMAL SWAMIS, THE: sphere). “R.C. Cola” kicks off into GOLDEN PELICANS: Self-titled: LP again and again. It’s a hard one to Phantom Tollbooth: 7” an irresistible chorus reminiscent of This might be the most satisfying pin down. Feeling very familiar, yet As far as garage punk stuff goes, at their most gleefully record, from start to finish, that I’ve equally unruly and unconventional. this is as close to “up my alley” as poppy, and closer “I Know I Know” bought in a long time. It’s mastered Undertones of straight-forwardness, it gets. Great minor melodies, often finishes off with equal firepower. In loud as fuck (and I swear it gets louder buried by squirmy guitars. Two of reminiscent of The Hex Dispensers, between, the band ventures into some somewhere on the second side). I could these people were in Kim Phuc and with a Dead Boys-esque snottiness swaggery garage rock and dancey be confusing this with the feeling I had there are similarities in approach. and a production style that hearkens , and pulls all of it off. eating the best burrito I’ve had in a You can be artful and creative the heyday of Gearhead Records. I’ll Just weird enough to stay exciting, long time while I was listening to this without losing the aggression and definitely be checking out more from but infectious enough to win over album. As a matter of fact, this album impulsiveness of punk and hardcore. these cats. Great stuff. –Dave Williams devotees from nearly any scene. This is the perfect length to eat a giant-ass, The Gotobeds effectively expand the (RZO, rzorex.bandcamp.com) GUN CLUB: Destroy the Country: LP What has two thumbs and woke up in me, physically or mentally, and I’m left I’ve ever heard from H.D.Q. Bearing in Destroy the Country is a legitimate a garbage can because of The Gutters? with a sense of wanting to get on with mind that the band is not short of songs reissue of a hard-to-find Gun Club live THIS GUY. –Matt Seward (Gutt, something else and find myself eager for these to be compared to that is quite bootleg, originally released in 1984. thegutters.bigcartel.com) to reach the end of the album—never a some achievement. H.D.Q. has never The album’s recording quality is on good sign. It’s not a case of Peel Me Like really moved away from the U.S.- the good side—not amazing, but likely HALFWAY TO HELL CLUB: an Egg lacking variation but even with influenced melodic punk it clean enough for even the most casual Bridges, Matches & Gasoline: CD the band mixing up the style of songs, had back in 1987 and continues down Gun Club fan. Destroy the Country pulls Holy hell, where has this CD been for especially in terms of pace, this just fails that route to this day. What makes this tracks from an Italian Las Vegas Story the past five years? Recorded in 2009, I to engage me. I get that bands move on stand out is that everything comes tour show (November 26, 1983); it comes am a little mystified where this nugget but this is a progression I’ll leave well together so well, something that I on green vinyl and Gun Club aficionado of melodic, post-hardcore goodness alone. –Rich Cocksedge (Boss Tuneage, guess all musicians must hope for Gene Temesy provides some quality has been hiding for so long. Swallowed bosstuneage.com) when entering a studio. This has two liner notes. The set list is understandably by the Razorcake HQ couch? I dunno, extremely well written songs that have heavy on Las Vegas Story songs, although but this is some pretty potent stuff; HARD-ONS, THE: the ability to soar majestically when “Brother and Sister”—a standout Miami reminds me at times of Small Brown Peel Me like an Egg: CD in full flight, both benefiting from a track—and “Sex Beat” and “For the Bike. Band features members of Sister Thirty years and several albums on, the production that gives them more life Love of Ivy” also appear. Kissers if that means anything to you. Hard-Ons continue their schizophrenic than that heard on last year’s album played a good set that night and this Las Grab this, if you still can. –Garrett approach to songwriting—one minute Lost in Translation. Of course with Vegas Story lineup (, Barnwell (Dead Broke) you’re listening to a hook-laden pop Dave Golledge’s raspy, impassioned Kid Congo, Pat Bag, and Terry Graham) punk tune, the next it’s full-bore thrash, vocals and Dickie Hammond’s guitar remains highly regarded by Gun Club HARD-ONS, THE: the next some noise workout, and the work—which has oft been copied— fans for good reason. I go through waves Peel Me like an Egg: LP/CD next something that could’ve easily H.D.Q. already has an advantage over with the Gun Club. I either regard them I’ve got some great memories of The found a home on a Slayer album—that many bands in terms of its starting as one of the best groups of their era Hard Ons, primarily from the mid- to has been their trademark. It’s likely point. To me, “Dismantled” is the or simply the best group of their era. late-1980s when the band released some an acquired taste for some, I reckon, highlight of the pair with its slightly I’m currently leaning toward the latter rip snorting records and blazed a frantic but I really can’t think of another punchier quality and faster pace that and I’m not fighting it. –Ryan Leach trail across the U.K. whenever it came up band that can deliver releases wherein expertly propels the song along from (Cleopatra, cleorecs.com) from Australia to tour. These memories fans of the Ramones, Descendents, start to finish. Apparently the band is are based around a manic sound that Sodom, and straight-up hardcore can working on a new album due to see GUTTERS, THE: Self-titled: LP was refreshing and invigorating, the find something to tickle their fancy. The the light of day in 2015, so bring it Billy Childish apparently spread his key traits of what I enjoyed so much formula remains unchanged, the songs on! –Rich Cocksedge (Boss Tuneage, seed in Portland where the two young about the band. In the intervening years remain rock-solid with lyrics vacillating bosstuneage.com) ragamuffins recycled dad’s empties to the band has dropped off my radar between puerile and poignant, and I purchase drums, guitar, and an amp. somewhat so I was intrigued when remain a fan. –Jimmy Alvarado (Boss HI HO SILVER, AWAY!: Chore: LP Garage trash to annoy dogs and your a new album dropped through my Tuneage, bosstuneage.com) I’ll say it: Chore surpasses everything significant other. It might even kill letterbox—would it rekindle the feelings this band has done previously, absolutely your lawn and will definitely stain your that I’d had a quarter of a century ago? H.D.Q.: “When Worlds Collide” demolishes it, and that’s coming carpet. Grammatically incorrect Brit- The simple answer is, unfortunately, b/w “Dismantled”: 7” from a guy who likes them. Lyrically, articulation buried under a Gonerfest no. The reasons are varied but on the This release has thrown me slightly due they’re tilling some rough-shod ground patron’s sex dream of distorted energy. whole the songs do very little to move to it possibly being the best recordings regarding the daily, hands-on struggles around poverty, busted relationships, inbred, oversexed, white trash bastard with the latest issue of the ever- the band’s from Sweden, Leonard ain’t abuse, fear, and forgiveness. Each song sons of Iggy (Pop), Johnny (Thunders), awesome Artcore fanzine. Originally singing, and there isn’t a Dickie within is its own little short story, but done in Lemmy (no last name needed) and released by Dr. Dream Records in several thousand miles. As an old L.A. such a way that it all seems concurrent, Handsome Dick (Manitoba).” While 1983, this is one of those obscure gems punk kid, one can’t help but find the one song threaded to the next. (I’d kick those godfathers are all respectable from a band that likewise gets lost in whole thing seriously appealing, and around the idea of calling it a concept influences, this album comes off as just the shuffle with many of their Inland it comes wholly recommended, but album, but the idea leaves a bad taste boring parody and “boys will be boys” Empire peers when folks get to talking damn if it ain’t a little creepy as well. in my mouth.) Musically, it’s pushing nonsense. For example, “my cocaine about L.A./Southern California punk. –Jimmy Alvarado (Alien Snatch, the boundaries of pop punk in a way cock” and “my girl you’re a cunt” are The sound is a bit quirkier than one aliensnatch.com) that’s confident and measured while two lyrics from this album, and I didn’t might expect given its origins, a sorta still being catchy and muscular; each have to look hard to find them. Really? cross between suburb-core and artier INTELLIGENCE: Boredom and Terror/ of the three instruments bend and Punk can do better. Punk has done new wave, which puts a pleasant kink Let’s Toil: 2 x LP flex in a way that deftly avoids the better. Time to move on. I can’t believe in their ‘core, and in the case of “No This double Intelligence album is pitfalls of the genre and yet each song we still have to listen to this shit. More,” a tune that should’ve gotten a reissue of their 2004 Narnack/ sounds anthemic as hell. It’s a smart, Good luck doing pay-to-play for the more radio play than it did. Tacked on Omnibus debut. Upon its original compassionate punk record, and songs ‘80s burnouts on the Sunset Strip, Hip for good measure is their track from release, Boredom and Terror/Let’s Toil like “LeSabre” and “Power Dynamics” Priests. –John Mule (Self Destructo, the Barricaded Suspects comp and was a joint LP/CD package—buy the still give me months after selfdestructorecords.com) the Side A of their second seven-inch, vinyl album, get the CD one with it. I first heard them. It’s so easy, after and Welly has been gracious enough Now you can get both on vinyl. Full hearing thousands of records and HOBOCOP: Half Man, Half Cop: LP to include some pics and additional disclosure: the Intelligence never did writing hundreds of reviews, to feel I’d put this as a cross between The information in the packaging to it for me. A live set I caught by them burnt out on this stuff, on music, so Barbaras and The Spits. Sound odd? It give the release and the band some opening up for the Oblivians last year when a record comes along that’s just is a little. But it’s enjoyable. The vocals historical perspective. Nice to see this was totally underwhelming. A left- this wonderful blend of empathy and have that weird “drowning in the sink” is available again. –Jimmy Alvarado handed compliment at best, I only say frustration and catchiness, I take notice sound while the pop sensibilities are (Artcore, artcorefanzine.co.uk) that to underscore how surprised I was and grab on. Chore’s definitely that a little more on the broken party bus. by this reissue. I had no expectations record. They’ll be hard-pressed to top The cover sticker compares this record IMPO & THE TENTS: for it and it fucking slays. While not this one, and I’m betting it’ll wind up to The Screamers. I like it, but it lacks Peek after a Poke: LP nearly as aggressive as The Screamers, being my favorite album of the year. the fascism necessary to be compared Imagine, if you will, skip fans of synth punk and Live at the –Keith Rosson (It’s Alive) to The Screamers. It’s a band with a past the whole punk thing and follow Witch Trials-era Fall should own keyboard, not a keyboard band. I’m not their buddies the Quick straight into this double record. I missed the boat HIP PRIESTS, THE: trying to be a dick, but the consumer the power pop trip. This release on this double album the first time Black Denim Blitz: CD needs to know. Fans of Hunxisms and embodies that proposed alternate around. If every Intelligence album You know that protest sign— San Francisco would be way into this. I reality hypothesis so much that it’s a bit sounded as compelling as this double commonly seen at protests of killer like it. –Billups Allen (Slovenly) unnerving. You get airtight, no-frills pop LP—something I don’t recall them cops and outdated reproductive health tunes stuffed to the bursting point with doing—I’d be one of their biggest fans. policies—that says, “I can’t believe I HUMAN THERAPY: devastatingly catchy hooks infused with I can’t praise this record enough and still have to protest this shit!” You know American Dream: 7” EP the same Saturday-morning-cartoon- it’s a strong contender for reissue of the where I’m going with this. The Hip Nice to see a repress of this band’s damaged sensibilities and Leonard’s year. Truly stunning. –Ryan Leach (In Priests describe themselves as, “The first EP, in this case included heretofore inimitable warbling… only The Red, intherecords.com) ITCHY-O: Burn the Navigator: CD your skull, while the guitar sounds like (“Love Drinks”). (If I recall correctly, ‘80s and hung out with Black Flag in Itchy-O is a really unique band. They’re roman candles unloading towers of Wes told me that was producer Louie the days. The singer’s a thirty piece group that is primarily sparks in celebration of your brand new Lino on the synth.) The Love That You dad was an experimental physicist who drum corps including odaiko and DIY lobotomy. It’s fucking awesome. Own is slightly more hi-fi than most invented a time machine powered by, chudaiko drums from Japan and roto The vocalist’s (ex-Brown Sugar) rapid of JWC’s previous records, and that’s coincidentally, wild sounds. They used toms, but which also incorporates synth, enunciation is almost as percussive as certainly not a bad thing. Overall, it’s this machine to blast out of the early L.A. vocoder, theremin, samples, guitar, and the drumming, adding to its magnetic an outstanding effort. –Ryan Leach punk scene thinking their music was bass. There are many other instruments pull. Sitting listening to this record begs (Burger, burgerrecords.org) too futuristic and landed in current day as well. Not all thirty pieces play at the question: is it possible for a human Australia, only to find that their music is the same time and there is a chart on to pogo this fast? The label is offering KRANG: Bad Moon: LP now sort of retro. But they’re still filled the CD booklet that shows who plays a free download of this record; don’t Krang return from their adventures with rage, and they’re using modern on what tracks. Also included are be a fool, check it out. –Daryl (Katorga among the outer wasteland with eight tricks to make sure their records pack the weird samples such as chimpanzees, Works, katorgaworks.bigcartel.com) new songs that expand greatly on the appropriate punch. By the sound of Lords cows, and birds. If you’re a big fan of sound they had on their previous LP, of Dullsville, they’re quite successful. percussion (as I am) some of this can JOHN WESLEY COLEMAN, III: Sounds of Death. There’s a bit more This is all just a rumor, of course. –MP be really hypnotic and catchy. I went The Love That You Own: LP of the metal flowing here than before, Johnson (Bridge Sounds) online to watch some video of how Trash poet and Timmy Vulgar tag-team but they still have that raw this works live. They dress up like a partner John Wesley Coleman is back base. “Mirror Puncher” may be their LEMONS, THE: mariachi band and the members playing with a new LP, The Love That You Own. best song yet. From the guitars on to Hello, We’re : Cassette non-percussion instruments carry their It’s no secret that I’m a JWC fan. His the catchy-as-hell rhythm, and through It’s a little disarming to listen to a tape amps on their backs. It is an impressive debut record, Steal My Mind, still ranks it all, they still keep it urgent and nasty which sounds so earnest and cute, but, thing to watch them come out and take as one of my favorite LPs of recent sounding. The follow up, “Replacer,” here are The Lemons. Fans of Guided over a stage (as they did playing with years, and his two Goner albums were keeps the fire burning. They shift By Voices will be stoked, as The David Byrne), but as is often the case, both excellent. The Love That You Own down a couple gears during the intro Lemons adhere to GBV’s all killer, no it’s hard to translate the uniqueness and is more of the Wes you hopefully know to “Fall of the Dove” on the second filler formula, cutting things like bridges excitement to a recorded performance. and love: weird and stylistically varied side. It’s not a bad song. It just stops and verses out of the equation in favor If you think this sounds like something (a little punk, a little country—all rock the quick flow that ended on the first of big hooks. And not just hooks, mind you’d be into, then by all means check ‘n’ roll). Although firmly established, side, though it’s picked back up with you, but the kind sung with soaring out this album, otherwise you’re his newish band is solid. Geena “Burn Now or Die Living,” which has harmonies akin to the Mamas And probably just as well off catching these Spigarelli can really hold down the low a great sort of NWOBHM guitar riff The Papas and/or the Association. The folks live (especially in the Denver area end and sax man Mark Tonucci gives with a filthy tone. Pretty strong second recording here is lo-fi, which adds to the since they don’t seem to play too often Wes a chance to play Bryan Ferry on LP from these guys, making me think overall effect, like stumbling on a box outside their hometown. Hey, have you the album. While I’m not one to praise Krang are turning into a force to reckon of old singles at a yard sale and taking ever tried to coordinate thirty people’s added instrumentation for the sake with. –M.Avrg (Profane Existence, them home to discover they’ve been schedules? Exactly.) –Kurt Morris of inclusion, there’s some old analog profaneexistence.com / Sacred Plague, played almost (but not quite) to death (Alternative Tentacles) synth on this record—y’know, the kind sacredplague.com) by loving fans over the years. All that with patch cables that only universities in something like fifteen minutes, which IVY: Self-titled: LP and affluent West Germans could LEECHES: Lords of Dullsville: LP means, of course, that you’ll listen to This is totally unhinged. The drumming afford back in the early ‘70s—that I heard a rumor that this band was this one again and again and again. is like a power drill going straight into really makes one of these tracks click formed in Los Angeles in the early –Michael T. Fournier (Burger) LENGUAS LARGAS: Come On In: LP rougher Iron Chic sound, complete Live in Toronto record. This band is are somewhat elusive online, linking There’s a line toward the beginning with shout-a-longs and hooky leads, probably the reason that plays you to a fake site that propagates of The House on Mango St. where but with less pro-production sheen and too many ska-rock tunes in NOFX’s set what exactly “the man” is, containing Sandra Cisneros is describing her more punk bombast. Very limited first now. It’s hard for me to tell if I dislike pseudo business jargon about synergy father shaving in the morning, listening press (one hundred), so get on it. –Matt these guys more than , and bullshit like that. It’s all fine and to records by dramatic singers who Seward (Sonic Mystics) but maybe I’m going a bit off point. I dandy if you don’t care about actually make “music like hiccupping.” Isaac didn’t like them in 2004 and ten years learning anything about the band. One Reyes has one of those reeling, all-in LOW CULTURE / NEEDLES//PINS: later, nothing has changed. Who would special tidbit I found snooping though: voices, which makes even the strangest Split: 7” have thunk it? –Sean Koepenick (Fat) in Chicago they opened for the band Lenguas Largas songs (for instance, Dirtnap has pulled off a masterstroke in called Death, which I thought was the ultra-catchy “Ese Culito,” which combining Low Culture and Needles// MAIMED FOR LIFE: Self-titled: LP pretty rad. Don’t let the Man fool you. my shitty Spanish has me thinking is Pins on this split. Both bands are similar This is a re-release of a somewhat Bullshit aside, this EP is solid…when about wedgies) sound rooted in time- yet dissimilar enough in their respective obscure 1985 hardcore EP, along played at the right speed. –Camylle tested traditions. For their second LP, sounds to allow for two distinctive, with six additional, unreleased songs. Reynolds (TallPat, tallpatrecords.com) this Tucson band has streamlined their and thoroughly enjoyable, sides. The Aldine Strychnine, who went on to approach, taking the sprawling and similarity is provided via a quality play in Poison Idea, is the vocalist. MANTS, THE: Destroyed by Fuzz: 7” flailing impulses that put their first which flirts with lo-fi without losing Not just a record for collectors or Once upon a time in the mid-1990s, album all over the map, and averaging too much of fidelity that makes historians, Maimed For Life represents garage punk ruled the land. Labels like them into a hit-after-hit rock’n’roll the fuzzed-up guitar a key element for the best of a tumultuous time in the Crypt, Estrus, and Lance Rock put out LP that maintains the cinematic each band. Low Culture offers a slightly history of punk rock, when hardcore the raw sound that was the antithesis of scope, desert-fried weirdness, and more atmospheric pair of songs with thought it was waning and crossover the “big rock” sound that was gaining classic melody that makes them such the echoic vocals sitting back in the was seemingly about to destroy it. The traction in the mainstream. That is a fascinating band. This may be my mix and aiding a nippy surf feel to the fact that a record this lovably corny can when I first heard The Mants. From favorite rock album of the year. PS: tracks. Needles//Pins is a bit more to the still pack a punch is a testament to the Planet X (via Calgary, Alberta), The These guys slay live. I saw them in point and in your face using a snottiness timelessness of songs about war, being Mants were half man, half ant, and all L.A. this summer and they had three that wouldn’t be out of place on early an outsider, and hanging out. Major action! Their 7” singles brought the drummers and four guitarists. I danced Screeching Weasel releases. Both kudos is in order to National Dust for primal stomp that they knew we filthy sexy when they played, “I Feel.” –Chris bands produce one track verging on the dusting off this classic material. –Art primates wanted to hear. Songs about Terry (Recess) realms of genius with Low Culture’s Ettinger (National Dust) enslaving humanity and/or getting in “Revolutions” equaling anything from your pants were the order of the day… LIVING ALONE: Self-titled: 12” EP its album Screens—one of my favorite MAN, THE: Self-titled: 7”EP Then they disappeared. Some claimed The packaging had me fooled into records of the last five years—with Take heed, label reads 45 RPM, but the government finally caught them, thinking I would be diving into another Needles//Pins supplying a magical riff it’s 33 1/3. Took some fumbling to find and some said that they finally headed indie rock bedroom tape introspection and lyric combo on “Bored” that gets this out, so save yourself sometime and back to their own galaxy, but the that got pressed to vinyl. Screen printed me all revved up and ready to go. –Rich stick with 33. With their blown-out bottom line was that our insectoid letting and a photo (actual photo) Cocksedge (Dirtnap) garage punk sound, Reatards, Useless rock overlords had left us. Flash scrapbook cornered onto the cover. Eaters, and Tyrades come to mind. forward a couple of decades. After Man, I love creative, well executed : Dirty Rice: CD A strange comparison to a slowed- being dormant for so long, The Mants packaging and I love good surprises. I had to go back into the archives to down Gag as well, which is weird, but reappeared (and in my town no less!). Living Alone blast out a slightly confirm that I really hadn’t liked their somehow apt. Speaking of gags, they Shows were played and primates were enslaved once more in the fuzz equivalent of a car down payment strung together one after the other, down too soon with the coolest (only trap from Planet X. Now they have to procure a copy. High fives all creating this impenetrable wall of sound cool) fucking use of whistling I’ve ever unleashed their latest vinyl weapon ‘round. – Jimmy Alvarado (HoZac, that envelopes the room. This is an heard from a band. Whoever’s idea upon us. Four quick blasts of the stuff hozacrecords.com) album that requires repeated listening was the whistling, high-five. I expect of legend. Fuzz guitar with vocals to to discover and explore the many layers to hear a lot more out of this outfit in match, and a back end that will make MEATBODIES / WAND: Split: 7” within. –M.Avrg (Relapse) the near future. Don’t let me down, you shake yours like a mating ritual Split 7” centering around the theme of dudes! –Indiana Laub (Muckman, with the queen of the colony. the void, AKA nothing. Meatbodies’ NEARLY DEAD: Self-titled: LP [email protected], your women and your sugar supply “Feed the Void” is a psych-y, drawn- Captain Beefheart, who’s apparently muckmanrecords.storenvy.com) because The Mants are coming for out, echo-heavy pulse of drums and developed an obsession with feces, you! –Ty Stranglehold (Manglor) bass. Wand’s “Take Me Back to the medical procedures, and deviant NEW SWEARS: Junkfood Forever, Void” is a guitar-heavy space panic behavior since his demise, lords over Bedtime Whatever: LP MARDOU: You’re Not Going to Live that moves in and between time itself. a Flipper//Brainbombs The epic return of Canada’s one true Forever: Cassette Mash your head into the speakers and tag-team assault on the senses, and physical incarnations of partying, New Really interesting, grungy post-punk, die. Now this is what music sounds they’ve brought along a brass section Swears swings wildly back into action that, despite combining two of my like! –Alanna Why (In The Red) heavily influenced by Tibetan Buddhist with ten brand-spanking-new songs most loathed “revival” subgenres, horn players as backup. Calling this about refusing to become an adult and I am really digging. Combining MORTALS: “not for the musically timid” might throwing caution to the wind. You’d melodic, jangly guitar lines over early Cursed to See the Future: CD be a bit of an understatement. –Jimmy think at this point songs about partying New Order-esque dancey rhythms and A nice combination of fast, heavy, Alvarado (Nearly Dead, nearlydead. would be so dime-a-dozen that it would more straightforward - and crushing. There are also some bandcamp.com) be impossible to write any more, but style heavy-but-catchy noise, Mardou catchy elements in the songs that you’d be wrong, you uncultured swine! comes across as sincerely emotive work themselves into your brain. The NEW JUNK CITY: Self-titled: Cassette Shove this LP into your earholes! rather than simply faux-nostalgic song structures are complex with time Here’s an unassuming debut from four Bring it up as a counterpoint when rehashers. Recommended. –Dave changes galore, and yet it’s never Atlanta guys who seem to have a perfect people start playing club rap! Play it Williams (Let’s Pretend) overwrought or boring. The vocals are handle on snappy, melodic songwriting. at discothèques, or just about long, drawn-out, anguished bellows No kidding, this is the home run, slam anywhere, really! Eventually, you MARY MONDAY: “I Gave My Punk of self reflection and defiance. I hear dunk, whatever-soccer-metaphor of won’t have any friends left, but you’ll Jacket to Rickie” b/w “Popgun”: 7” traces of —from the days rough-around-the-edges pop punk. still have the fun sugary party punk that HoZac digs deep and pulls another gem of Venom to the present—in the Maybe some of the magic comes from is the New Swears. Grade: A-. –Bryan from the punk rock ether. Originally guitar tone. The bass tone on here is that streak of rugged heartland rock Static (Bachelor, bachelorrecords.com) released in 1977, “Punk Cabaret” near perfect. Just the right amount of that’s been showing up for years in the musician Mary Monday’s sole official distortion. The notes cut through razor scruffier, flannel-shirtier punk bands NO SIR, I WON’T: Shit!: LP recorded output is comprised of two sharp. Then you have the drumming of the States. In fact, there’s almost I don’t think it’s doing No Sir, I Won’t puissant punk barnstormers that of Caryn Havlik. She brings in the an alt-country sensibility to the rolling a disservice by saying that without pummel and swagger with the best heaviness with each thunderous strike leads and just-right grit of the vocals. Crass the band would probably not of that mythical year’s more revered and avalanche roll, and that’s what But the heart of this is raw punk rock. have existed in this form, given that releases. Buzzsaw guitars, hooks, and really hooks me into these songs. The Think Iron Chic’s catchy sincerity, and the influences are not just worn on attitude to spare, it’s all here, and you songs are paced where there are no maybe some of The Thermals’ self- sleeves but made into huge flags too. don’t have to shell out the monetary moments of quiet. Instead, they are aware nerdiness. Seven songs wind The evidence is all there from the use of a statement linked to Crass as its warm to the vocals. They’re a little too rounds of a championship bout. The Is a Punk,” which doesn’t veer too far name through to the music which has high pitched for the music and seem mid-paced tracks are when the pugilist from the original whilst at the end of the same militaristic drums, sinister, to really be straining at being urgent, tries to weaken the opponent using “Grimespree,” the epic—it accounts plodding bass lines, male/female vocals when he needs to dial it back a bit and stiff body shots that cause the guard for almost of quarter of the album’s barking out angry anti-establishment go with the flow of the already strong to be dropped. The more blitzkrieg running time of twenty one minutes— lyrics, and a guitar shrieking away like music. I really like the guitars on this style songs are the knock out punches, there is the briefest Descendents cover a Bonfire Night firework. Crass was record. They have that attention- directed straight for the head with an used as part of the finale. The CD one of the first punk bands to really grabbing crunch, and can slip into a intensity that seems never-ending— is self-released and the LP is out on help me have a broader world view and melodic break with ease (check out allowing for no effective defense to be Ryan Young’s (Off With Their Heads) via its lyrics I was set on the path of the closer, “Racional Incerto”). It’s deployed in response—thus resulting own label. Stuff like this excites me. questioning rather than accepting what nice—and somewhat encouraging—to in either submission or a bloodied –Rich Cocksedge (Self-released, I was told. No Sir, I Won’t is clearly hear current bands look to a period of ending. Lyrics are in Castilian but I’m pearstheband.com / Anxious & Angry, intent on doing likewise all these years transition in punk that started to go betting they’re full of anti-authority/ anxiousandangry.com) later and this is an outstanding record deeper than the prevailing louder faster anti-establishment sentiment given the where rage, bile, and vitriol is at the mentality, and bring in the politics hardcore maelstrom bursting out of PENETRATORS: “Shopping Bag” b/w forefront of what the band does. This and ideals to complement the change. my speakers. There’s some great live “Everybody Needs Loving”: 7” isn’t just a full-on Crass homage either Hopefully, today’s generation will footage of this band on the internet, I am really digging this trend of putting as No Sir, I Won’t adds its own identity do the same and take it further. On too, if you’re interested in seeing Orden together a single out of songs that were into the mix with vocals that are less the whole, this is pretty nice record, Mundial in action. –Rich Cocksedge never released as a single originally. harsh than those of Steve Ignorant, and one that bears repeated listening. (La Vida Es Un Mus) Recent singles by the Incredible Kidda Eve Libertine, and Joy De Vivre whilst –M.Avrg (Amendment, amendment- Band and others have made for great also taking a more melodious route at records.com, amendmentRecords@ PEARS: Go to Prison: LP/CD listening by putting two great tunes on times than Crass ever journeyed along. gmail.com) Have you spent time imagining one 7”. In the case of the Penetrators This is quite the fist-shaking ruckus. what a mix of Circle Jerks’ Group classic “Shopping Bag,” this was slated –Rich Cocksedge (Drunken Sailor, ORDEN MUNDIAL: Sex and Descendents’ Milo Goes to to be released as a single in 1981 but drunkensailorrecords.co.uk) Obediencia Debida: LP College would sound like? No, nor the band decided to make a video for The opening chords on Orden me. However, the possible result of the song instead. The video was, of O INIMIGO: Mundial’s second album are enough such an experiment dropped into my course, rejected by MTV but finally, Personalidades Plasticas: LP to make the dead sit up and wonder lap recently in the guise of the debut over thirty years later, I finally have Heavily influenced by late ‘80s “What the fuck?” The tone of the guitar album by Pears. The majority of the the “Shopping Bag” b/w “Everybody DC hardcore, in is instantly invasive and at times the six ten songs are made up of that kind of Needs Loving” single in hand and it particular (when they were putting strings feature a similar quality, both in hybrid sound, taking the short, sharp sounds great. This is one of my all time out albums like You and Crash), and a sound and in some of the solos, as was approach of the former and blending favorite bands and “Shopping Bag” touch of . But they do have heard on GBH’s first two albums—a it with the more melodic style of the is one of their very best songs. A real enough of their own personality to be sound that I love. Those chords herald latter. The Keith Morris influence is wiseass dig at consumerism that is their own band, as you can readily the beginning of a seventeen minute also to be heard on the track “Forever also catchy as hell, “Live your life in a hear in songs like “Abandonado Pelos onslaught from this Mallorcan band, an Sad,” a song which sounds a hell of a shopping bag” has never been timelier Anjos,” and the title track, which has attack that is akin to standing in front lot like OFF! via the Morris-like vocals than in our current culture. This band more of a contemporary sound. I must of a light heavyweight boxer, with and a similar guitar sound/style. There manages to avoid being too goofy and admit, it took me a couple listens to each of the ten tracks representing the is also a decent Ramones cover, “Judy just flat-out rock like no other that I can think of. There is a big difference sound all their own. Politically driven is reminiscent of Dead To Fall, with distorted guitar, with Aimee’s straight between being a fun band and being lyrics—“Obama killed something in a slightly less technical version of up unapologetic, bratty riot grrrl a funny band. The Penetrators are in me” strike a chord. Something that all Dillinger Escape Plan mixed in. With vocals at the forefront. Best song on the fun camp. Another great release of us hopefuls felt as we once stood at nine songs clocking in at fifty-five here is “Stiff Little Single.” This song to wear out the grooves on. Long the precipice, but now find ourselves minutes, it seems like it would be is fucking genius with a perfect bass live “The Kings of Basement Rock!” flattened at bottom with doubt and a lengthy ride, but the songs move rift and unmistakably rad lyrics “I’m –Mike Frame (Windian) disillusionment. Bodies and Control along surprisingly well. Unfortunately, going to take you to a place where I and Money and Power is a worthy with few exceptions (“The Oracle of can fuck you.” Instant classic. The PHENOMENAUTS: Escape Velocity: CD album, there just seems something Nassau,” “Balkanized”), the songs don’t only thing that’s missing on this EP Wow, the Phenomenauts have been missing to really put this one over the do much to distinguish themselves. is the pogoing girl-friendly pit and cranking out the gold for over ten top. I’ll be watching for what’s next. None of this is to say the band isn’t Aimee’s crazy stage antics. Buy it years now and this very well may be –Camylle Reynolds (Don Giovanni) talented—they’re good at what they do before it sells out. –Camylle Reynolds the band’s finest hour. I am personally and their diversity is appreciated, but (Thrillhouse / Dollskin) very glad the band shows no sign PROTESTANT: In Thy Name: LP what they’re doing on The Mother of of letting up and would like to take Milwaukee hardcore, but hardcore in Virtues didn’t catch me and make me RAMMA LAMMA: Ice Cream: LP this opportunity to thank them for spirit only. This is metal. Or at least a mix want more. On a totally unrelated note, Work sucks. The school I work at is continuing to keep the earth safe from of crust, grindcore, and primitive black the opening few seconds of drumming having a real tough time. Seismologists uninteresting, un-fun music. This is metal. Blast beats drive the record, with on “White Flag” was incredibly told us that nearly half of the campus so recommended it isn’t even funny. guitar leads more Immortal than Amebix reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac’s “What was built on a fault line. Now that If the Moxies make your feet tap, this and screamed vocals that would fit Makes You Think You’re the One” portion of the school, which includes is for you. –Garrett Barnwell (Silver comfortably in either genre. None of this off their Tusk album. If you can find a dozen classrooms, is off-limits. On Sprocket, silversprocket.net) is a deterrent, just a grim warning. With a way to incorporate Fleetwood Mac top of that, the after-school program’s music and lyrics as dark and apocalyptic with your technical sound, budget got slashed to practically PRIESTS: Bodies and Control and as the record cover would indicate, this is then I definitely want to hear your nil. As a result, I’ve been heading Money and Power: CD not for the faint of heart. For those who next album. That would be bizarrely home partially deflated, embittered. Priests toured with one of my favorite dig Discharge and Napalm Death alike, amazing. –Kurt Morris (Relapse) Today, I slump into my chair and see bands, Good Throb, so my interest was this will work for you. As is often the Ramma Lamma’s Ice Cream on my piqued when this CD came my way. case with filthy shit like this, some of the QUAALUDES: Nothing New: 7”EP desk. It beckons me with its garish, Interesting choice for a tour buddy. most compelling moments are those that Quaaludes are addictive. Fact. I’ve crude cover art, like an animation cell Everything that I love and expect slow down, hit a groove—if you can call been seriously hooked since I first from The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat. from Good Throb (gnarly, distorted, it that—and let the riff become the focus, saw them last year. Quaaludes is a I give it a spin and, god almighty, it’s unpolished and unapologetically so), forcing a slow head bang before returning force of nature in SF. They are one just what I need. I’m talking pure id is the exact opposite of Priests. Not you to your previously pummeling of those rare all XX bands that fit power pop, mining the brains most that this is necessarily a bad thing. program, already in progress. Brutal, on any punk bill, a loved local to the impulsive (repulsive?) regions, and Hailing from DC, Priests are a no- bleak, and bloody good. –Chad Williams SF scene, adored by guys and grrrls kick-starting serotonin production. frills minimalist post-punk band. It’s (Halo Of Flies, halooffliesrecords.com) alike. This is their first EP, and just These are the type of songs that just got a retro vibe, but still remains fresh, like every performance I’ve seen of might make you blush: “Baby I’m a potent. Sonic comparisons like tinges PYRRHON: The Mother of Virtues: CD them, it does not disappoint. Well monster, come from outer space. If the of Breeders, Bikini Kill, and even the ? Sure, why recorded, with crisp melodic bass girls don’t like it they can sit on my Cramps work, but really they have a not? The Mother of Virtues at times and drums, even more euphonically face.” Ramma Lamma is therapeutic. They extinguish my frustrations with REPLICA: Beasts: 7” EP made this.” Gordon is honest; he pulls perfect indie rock with a mid-’90s whip cream. After a handful of songs, An unrelenting barrage of sonic from his life experience admitting his vibe. It sounds like music by guys I’m completely decompressed. This virulence comes crashing down upon disappointments with his hometown who’ve listened to Bob Mould’s solo is the type of record that reminds you your melon, thrashes its way into your as well as the reluctance with album guitar work (not just Hüsker that there’s still stupid fun to be had in auditory canals, and infects your being which he leaves it. While the lyrics Dü). It sounds like music by guys who the world. –Sean Arenas (Certified PR, until you find yourself unable to stop themselves—sung in strained pleads understand what makes Guided By certifiedprrecords.com) your body from rhythmically spasming that were too lacking in definitive Voices tick. The first side ends with along to its demon-beat. Yeah, I’ve melody—did not stir radical feelings some slower stuff. “Miss Virginia” RATOS DE PORAO: Seculo Sinestro: CD been reading old Pushead and, yes, of rebellion in my chest, the context is the kind of patient, fuzzy tune that One can’t help but be impressed as a matter of fact, this release is aces, they were presented in won me over. gives me the spine chills. None of the when a band in its thirty-third year of and the cover art is fuggin’ gorgeous. –Ashley Ravelo (Self-released, tunes move faster than a solid gallop. existence can still manage to crank –Jimmy Alvarado (Prank) fuckthestowaways.blogspot.com, I wouldn’t describe any of this as out an album as consistently strong, [email protected]) snarling or metal. Yet the sticker on relevant, and unrelenting as this one. RICH HANDS, THE: the cover of the record compares this This latest release sees the band seesaw Out of My Head: Cassette SERIOUS SAM BARRETT: Any Road: LP band to the Dead Boys and (huh?) Big a bit more back towards the “thrash I like it when new releases sound like It’s interesting how it seems that if Business. Is someone really getting metal” side of their dual existence but stuff I was into twenty-five years ago done genuinely, any genre of music that vibe from this record? Maybe I’m while there may be a bit more chugga- and still listen to despite the nagging can become punk music if played by wrong. Surely the record label knows chugga to the guitars, they approach suspicions meandering in my head that punks. The genre at hand is rootsy, what the band sounds like. Still, I like things with the same level of political I’m just a nostalgic old fool. The Rich acoustic, country, folk stuff. When listening to this band my way better. astuteness and ferocity that has made Hands have a sound similar to stuff executed with this much energy and –MP Johnson (Phratry) them one of Brazil’s most formidable coming out of Minneapolis in the mid- passion, Sam could be playing a and better-known hardcore bands to the to late-’80s (I keep going back to Made goddamn slide whistle and it would SIGHTLINES / CRYSTAL SWELLS: outside world. Ten originals, an Anti to Be Broken-era Soul Asylum on this still sound like distorted guitar in my Split: 7” Cimex cover, and not a second wasted. one, but that’s not quite right…), but brain. It should be no surprise that Mr. The mauve/gray-colored vinyl is Fuuuuuck yeah, this’ll definitely blow with a bit more of a rock’n’roll roots Barrett’s previous LP was released on reminiscent of the gray matter and your doors off. –Jimmy Alvarado feel to it. I liked it a bunch. –The Lord Arkam Records, and he has toured blood missing from the exposed cranial (Alternative Tentacles) Kveldulfr (Burger / Fountain) with the Pine Hill Haints. Both he and cavities of the two figures depicted in they do an exceptional job of staying the cover art. I like that, a lot. Both bands REAGAN’S POLYP: ROMAN CANDLES: “Yorba Linda” b/w true to a lifetime’s worth of punk music are out of Vancouver, BC. Sightlines America Needs More Ass: CD “Crystal Cathedral”: 7” while still playing something totally blends power pop and pop punk into Art-damaged synth noise Chris Gordon is not simply an angry different. Having a song about touring this weird, anxiety-inducing sound that experimentation whackery. These punk who writes about what he sees with Kid Little doesn’t hurt either. makes me want to pace the floor like guys must really like Men’s Recovery on the news. This two-song seven inch –Daryl (YaDig?, serioussam13@ I’m making awkward small talk on Project, but are nowhere near as clever is a testament to that. The short essay hotmail.co.uk) the telephone, in a good way. Crystal or interesting. More simulacra and on the insert makes all the difference Swells put out some noisy punk. Bass, bargain basement juvenilia. Bleh. If by not simply throwing music into SHANKS, THE: Surfi ng the Lexicon: LP drums, and guitar come together like you need a shim for an uneven chair or the world expecting the listeners to Sometimes I think I listen to music a beast with three backs, only to burst table, this would suit just fine. –M.Avrg interpret it correctly, but rather putting wrong. Take this record, for example. apart thrashing and wailing while subtle (Vetoxa, vetoxa.com) the effort to explain, “This is why I When I listen to it, I hear absolutely vocals weave through the madness. All hell’s broken loose and there is no other musical endeavors, this 12” is the compared to, say, the Mummies or were at their prime. Then “Suck My caging this beast. –Jackie Rusted (Self- first proper release for Slow Science and even Teengenerate, which adds a bit Snot” hit, and it’s like “SUCK IT UP! released, sightlines.bandcamp.com / just as is heard on the demo, there is a more intensity and a sense of tightness FUCK IT UP!” or something like that, crystalswells.bandcamp.com) “kitchen sink” approach to song writing/ to their delivery. Not bad at all. and I’m all like “HOLY SHIT!!!”, and structure, with a plethora of influences –Jimmy Alvarado (Bedo, bedorecords. I stopped taking notes —but, right on SISTERKISSER / RUMSPRINGER: being applied throughout. The two bigcartel.com) cue, the plant manager started coming Split: 7” EP tracks here are intricate and suitably over by me because he wanted a pair Sister Kisser: Gruff and/or flat-vocaled diverse, with a sound created by easing SONIC CHICKEN 4: Self-titled: LP of latex gloves, so I immediately indie pop punk with hooks aplenty. The an indie rock basis down a number of Second self-titled LP from this French and instinctively killed the volume. songs are innocuous enough, and are tangents to reach a beautifully lush outfit of garage-stompin’ freaks. It’s It’s got to be complete rock instinct, sugar-sticky and simple without being outcome that although complex is never ruckusy and hooky, and full of hootin’ when you’re listening to something lug-headed, but on the whole they don’t confused or overstated. The Dauntless and hollerin’. Filled to the fucking gills as fucking great as “Suck My Snot,” really stand out from the umpteen other Elite has been around the block quite a with fuzzy, twanged-out guitars! The and some grownup starts coming bands populating the pack. Rumspringer: few more times than Slow Science and squares might think it’s cluttery, but over to where you’re at, you kill the Sure, there’s some musical DNA overlap adopts a much more straightforward SC4 pull it off! Instead of sounding like volume. THIS ISN’T FOR YOU TO in evidence here that is shared with style in its presentation. The band dishes a mess, it just sounds like a crowded, HEAR, SQUARE! YOU GO ON their record-mates, but Rumspringer’s up a pair of songs full of melodies fun party full of your rowdiest friends. ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS! It’s working on a whole other level of hooks ingrained with enough grit to Recorded by King Khan in Valencia, like, not only do I not want a grownup and sonic sophistication, and they do so add a few rough edges here and there. Spain so you know it’s the real deal. to HEAR my music, I don’t even with a deceptive ease in delivery that It’s a good effort from the Elite but for –Daryl (Bachelor / Dusty Medical) want them to observe ME hearing it. make the results all the more impressive. me this split belongs to Slow Science, THEY CANNOT COMPREHEND As a result, it’s about as unfair to compare a band who by the time you’ve read SONNY VINCENT: THE GOINGS-ON! It’s best to the two as it is to put a bonobo in a cage this, will unfortunately have ceased to Cyanide Consommé: CD keep it shrouded in mystery, let their with a nine hundred pound silverback be. –Rich Cocksedge (Bombed Out, I listened to this latest dose of black feeble imaginations attempt to fill and expect it to hold its own. –Jimmy bombedout.com) leather trad-sleaze/straight-up nihilism in the blanks as best they can. Real Alvarado (Dead Broke) at work, over the tiny speakers on rock’n’roll engenders a sense of SNAKE HANDLER: Enjoy : 7” our crappy, non-internet-enabled territorial possession: THIS IS MINE, SLOW SCIENCE / Yes. Now we’re talking. Furious, dark computer, dutifully noting how the YOU CAN’T HAVE THIS, AND, THE DAUNTLESS ELITE: Split: 12” hardcore in the Poison Idea vein with lead guitar would poke its head out IN POINT OF FACT, YOU CAN’T My first exposure to Slow Science a slightly more chaotic slant, made of the rock’n’roll Sarlacc Pit during EVEN WATCH ME HAVING IT! was two and a half years ago with all the more aggressive and frenzied vocal pauses, spit a little venom, and Such was, indeed, the case here. So, the band being sandwiched between by Orchid/Ampere wizard Will duck back down when the vocals yeah, eventually he walked back into Crazy Arm and Muncie Girls on a low Killingsworth’s ultraviolent mix. Killer came back in, just like the Dead Boys. the din of the pressroom and the six key, midweek gig here in Plymouth cover art to boot. Awesome. –Dave I also noted how key phrases would boomboxes trying to blast Styx or (U.K.). I was highly impressed with Williams (Victimized, snakehandler. be forcefully re-bludgeoned again and whatever over the noise, and I went the performance of the quartet and later bandcamp.com) again, like the Action Swingers. I even back to blasting “Suck My Snot” that week picked up a download of the noticed the occasional X-Ray Spexish on these tiny little speakers, alone band’s demo EP which indicated that it SNOOKYS, THE: Steroids: 7” EP sax solo, and the squawky distorto- and unwitnessed. I can not and need was as good in a studio as it was live. High-octane garage punk. The effect on the vocals that was popular not provide further testimony to this With its members being involved in production is remarkably clean twenty years ago when the Dummies record’s worth. BEST SONG: “Suck My Snot.” BEST SONG TITLE: I TANGO VIOLENZO: peppered with references to the radical intersect is largely intact and no less do like “Suck My Snot” just fine, but The Submission EP: 7” politics of previous generations, while potent, and they still come on with the I’m going to go with “Part 2 Screw You think the guy with wobbly arms Teargas Rock’s lyrics were written at the subtlety of a rhino dancing ballet, but You” just to break it up. FANTASTIC who just robot danced his way out of height of anti-globalization activism, for chrissakes, aren’t there some sorta AMAZING TRIVIA FACT: Spine is that dark alley is funny at first, until he and work perfectly as protest anthems rules about avoiding sonic coherence? printed upside down. –Rev. Nørb (Big is suddenly in your face, choking you for Battle in Seattle-era politicos. The Next thing you know, the Mummies Neck, bigneckrecords.com) with sandpaper hands, laughing and (Young) Pioneers gained popularity will be releasing CDs or something.... jumping up and down, getting louder posthumously, and were often cited –Jimmy Alvarado (Manglor) STAPLES IN CARPET: Self-titled: CD and crazier, and you don’t know how as an influence on the folk punk scene They call their music “old school you’re even breathing through all of of the ‘00s. Against Me! even name- TESTORS: Complete Recordings crossover” and, when I listen to this. –MP Johnson (Luftslott) check them in a song. For me, the 1976-1979: 2 x LP Staples In Carpet, I imagine that early (Y)Ps were the ripshit trio who opened Do you want to be cool? Badass? ‘90s, power-riff, white-Nike-wearing TEARGAS ROCK: Self-titled: 12” EP for bands, and made Totally irresistible? Of course you do, metalhead with a Black Flag shirt on. The (Young) Pioneers started in something click inside of this new-to- Poindexter! I confess that before I held –John Mule (Self-released) Richmond, Virginia in 1994, shortly the-south, half-black punk rocker who this double LP in my hands, I was a after the breakup of singer/guitarist was trying to make sense of his identity drooling, slack-jawed Cro-Magnon STERILE JETS: Liquor Store: CD Adam Nathanson’s art-damaged and his father’s hometown. They made incapable of anything remotely hip. Looking at the cover art, I certainly hardcore band Born Against. They me feel okay with having one foot in Now I preach the gospel of Sonny wasn’t expecting this batch of started playing trebly, acoustic folk black life and one foot in white music, Vincent atop a soap box and swing edgy, Minutemen-meets-Flipper and recorded prolifically, evolving and I’ll always associate the (Y)Ps with a tuna can from my neck like the tracks. There is a certain tension through cryptic blasts of punked-up discovery of self and of Richmond. It’s miscreant that I am. If this sounds rad running through these tracks that soul and finally landing on the loose super exciting to get more songs by (which I know it does) just follow these keeps me coming back. Also, I’m rock’n’roll of their final LP, 1999’s these musicians, and to hear it sound so four easy rules. Rule one: Give zero a sucker for blown-out, turn-it-up- Free the (Young) Pioneers Now! vital so long after the fact. –Chris Terry fucks. Rule two: A fuck-all attitude will to-twelve recordings, which this After the (Young) Pioneers broke up, (littleblackcloudrecords.com) take you to most any place. Rule three: thing delivers in spades. –Garrett they had a short-lived band called Your fashion accessories can never—I Barnwell (Yesca Rock) Teargas Rock. Hissy dubs of a demo TEE PEES, THEE: Self-titled: LP repeat—never be too ridiculous. Rule were passed around Richmond, but Wait-wait-wait a second—I can hear four: If you’re actually following these STREET SHARK: Heart Age: Cassette never saw official release until now. all the instruments! Can it be Los rules, then you’re doing it all wrong, Tapes aren’t my bag. But when they’re These seven songs were tracked in Angeles’s finest purveyors of shit-fi ding-dong. In all seriousness, Todd documents of “the marginalized, late ‘99, and are the only Teargas Rock have—GASP!—sold their souls and Killings, from his introduction, puts it the peripheral, and the isolated” as recordings. Songwriting-wise, they’re gone mainstream? What’s next— best: “For a band that was left out of Social Cancer from Birmingham, the logical continuation of the (Y)Ps’ duets with Nicki Minaj in plastic see- almost all of the history books on New AL is releasing, the format can be sound, the band (Nathanson, long-time through hot pants? Guest appearances York Punk in the 1970s, these guys overlooked. When that document bassist Marty Key, and new drummer on Ellen? Hipsters wearing Thee really recorded a lot of material...” sounds like is Ian Curtis fronting a Randy Davis) a bit less hectic, more Tee Pees half-shirts bought at Urban No kidding. Testors don’t slack off. I current band turning up to comfortable with melody, and delving Outfitters for thrice the price? Oh, the suspect that Sonny Vincent is a vampire eleven in your basement, I’m ready deeper into ‘60s soul. A big change is fuggin’ humanity! Sure, their habit of as each song hasn’t aged a day, much for repeat listenings. –Matt Seward the lyrics. The (Y)Ps’ lyrics spoke about plundering the depths of the nether- like his jet-black, razor straight hair. (Social Cancer, socialcancer.net) social injustice in Richmond and were area where hardcore and trashy garage Every tune is a garage punk, power pop behemoth of confident rock’n’roll militaristic flourishes and a vague at all. –Jimmy Alvarado (Timekiller, band of the genre like this. –M.Avrg melodies and gleeful degeneration. communist feel will definitely beckon timekillerpunx.bandcamp.com) (Trash Axis, trashaxis.bandcamp.com) I would be shocked if after listening a listener to ponder its insides. So you to all thirty-seven songs you are show up at the bar they’re playing this TRACY BRYANT / BILLY CHANGER: UNFUN: Caroline: 7” unwilling to convert to The Cult of weekend, order two fists of tall boys, 2 in 1: Split: Cassette Melodic and mellow meets fun and fast Sonny Vincent. –Sean Arenas (Alien and start to have a great evening since The tunes by these two dudes work very in Unfun’s fifth 7”, Caroline. Side A Snatch, aliensnatch.com) you don’t really get to go out very well together; on the whole, this record (reading, “Yo, Play This Shit Fucking much anymore. The Thingz take the is kind of like ultra lo-fi sixties garage Loud…”) is pack with distorted, THERE MUST BE A HOLE IN YOUR stage, looking not quite rockabilly, but rock like you would find on Crypt low vocals and an intense feeling of MEMORY: A Tribute to projecting a definite sense of style. They compilations in the ‘90s ramming up struggling to stay afloat and The Sound: CD plug in and proceed to sweat out catchy, against ‘80s synth-pop sensibilities. in a sea of emotional regrets. Kicking I’ll start off by stating that I’m a huge fan over-driven Chuck Berry guitar trash Tracy Bryant is more of the former, and off with the titular line of this record, of Adrian Borland. I feel like he is one rock. You move to the front of the stage, Billy Changer is more of the latter. For “Caroline,” we’re faced with an outpour of—if not the—most underrated artists excitedly raising your beers in the air full flavor spectra, pair Tracy Bryant of heartbreak, anger, and the often of the eighties post-punk scene. The and proceed to have the best Cramps, with the Cramps and Billy Changer overwhelming feeling of everything Sound started up in the late seventies and B-52’s, Southern Culture On The Skids- with Ryan Adams. Enjoy! –The Lord being completely, utterly, and hopelessly made music similar to the Chameleons influenced bar rock night of your life. Kveldulfr (Lollipop / Burger) fucked up for eight minutes before UK and Joy Division, but all their own. You wake up the next morning wearing flipping over to Side B, (continued with, If you know either of those two bands the wrong sized Thingz T-shirt, late TRASH AXIS: Grotesque: LP “Or…Get the Fuck Out”). Immediately but have never heard the Sound, you’re night BBQ burrito breath, and this LP Immediately Bad Acid Trip springs to introduced to louder vocals blaring in for a treat. I saw the title of this CD on your turntable. Your hangover wants mind, though I think Trash Axis take through speakers, this trio rapidly and it immediately caught my attention. the listening to validate last night’s their grindcore further into the outer picks up their paces up for two more I previously hadn’t heard of a single grandiosity, but instead leaves you with reaches and become less conventional tracks before slowing back down with band on this compilation, which I found the fuzziness of questionable decisions. in return. I would go as far to say the fourth and final track, “Unglued.” kind of strange. But, strangely enough, Fun, if not a necessity. –Matt Seward that the saxophone, accordion, and Themed with deteriorating mental health everyone’s covers impressed me. The (C.A.R., thethingz.bandcamp.com) glockenspiel dominate their sound more and emotional breakdowns, this neatly songs go through the whole Sound than distorted guitars. You still get the pressed vinyl makes punk a threat again. catalog and even into some of Borland’s TIMEKILLER: Bleed Out: 7” EP strangulated vocals this genre is known –Genevieve Armstrong (Dead Broke) solo material. The insert mentions a The sound is blown out a bit, and there’s for, though you can figure out what the documentary that is coming out on some reverb pumped in, but what this singer is saying—err uhh—growling, UNRESTRAINED: Borland. In the meantime, if you want to Rio de Janeiro crust-flaked hardcore here and there. The keyboard tends Forward onto Death: LP hear some new takes on some of the best unit puts down is rendered all the more to give this a carnival feel at times, Unrestrained have been kicking around post-punk songs ever written, check this bleak as a result. Judging from what’s and the glockenspiel makes some the hardcore underworld for some time comp out. –Ryan Nichols (The Beautiful here, they’re not on a speed kick like songs more whimsical than “brutal.” now, churning out near-perfect ‘90s- Music, [email protected]) many of the other hardcore bands that The lyrics are equally out there, with style heavy hardcore over a slew of come outta Brazil, but prefer rather to songs like “Poop Bomb” detailing how 7”s and comp tracks, and finally just THINGZ, THE: Red Future: LP let the venom burn and seethe—and “poop fills up the internet.” Okay... So, recently dropped its first LP. It was A screen printed cover sleeve, good or then when you least expect it, they if you’re a fan of grindcore, but sick of well worth the wait. To my ears, the bad, is always a way to grab attention. hit you with “Sinking in Shit,” which the same ol’ same ol’, then give this a most obvious influence here is Harvest: One depicting a crab with cryptic recalls, well, vintage Venom. Not bad listen. I doubt you’ve heard any other the vocal style, the open chugs, the dissonant chords and melodic more. Each song is built on prominent it, but first, allow me to compare two of this rock-stupid, man-child drag women flourishes, all of it is reminiscent of bass lines, surrounded by layer upon America’s seminal musical psychopaths. around by their hair, cut himself and Minneapolis’s finest (including the layer of textured guitar riffs, including The first being a rapper from New throw haymakers and shit at drooling extended Harvest family—Threadbare, lots of reverb. It’s a perfect home York who’s name rhymes with ‘lazy’. scumfucs while performing talentless Krakatoa). Unrestrained isn’t a straight- for Neltie Penman’s simultaneously Well, this self-proclaimed, “best rapper hack-punk. Fuck, I said I wasn’t into up clone though. I’m hearing elements beautiful and creepy vocals. At times, alive” started out selling crack to his discussing the cultural relevance of of Torn Apart, Kiss It Goodbye (whose Penman sounds like a possessed Debbie own community, then ascended to G.G. and now look at me. What you frontman, the inimitable Tim Singer, Harry haunting the building that used pop superstardom by simultaneously, get with Drink, Fight, Fuck Vol. 4 is guests on the track “Framework”), to be CBGB’s. It’s a dichotomy that boasting and excusing himself for this a bunch of racist, homophobic, and Trial, Strain, For The Love Of, One perfectly fits the band’s sound. The rest life choice. In the meantime, he stayed women-hating songs reinterpreted by King Down, and plenty more of the of Unwed’s lineup includes Hot Water busy as a shrewd business entrepreneur, sympathizers of an alienated, insecure, somewhat less celebrated heroes of Music’s Jason Black, Arty Shepherd of taking chances like designing the for- violent, psychopath. Knock yourself the era. That said, Forward onto Death Primitive Weapons, Jeff Gensterblum of profit “Occupy Everything” t-shirts out. –Craven Rock (Zodiac Killer, doesn’t sound like a stale throwback Small Brown Bike, and guitarist Matt for his clothing line during the Occupy zodiackillerrecords.com) either. The organic but clear production Kane. Unwed more than lives up to Movement and eventually made him a helps keep the record true to the their collective pedigree, with tunes that billionaire. Critique such behavior all VARIOUS ARTISTS: GC Records 15 band’s influences while avoiding the I found both more nuanced and more you want, but why does hip-hop get Year Anniversary Comp: LP occasionally thin and tinny trappings enjoyable than many of the members’ such successful psychopaths for role Though I’ve never heard of GC Records of yesteryear’s more affordable established projects. –Paul J. Comeau models, while the punks adore a man before getting this compilation, I’m technology. Honestly, I could go on (No Idea) who ate his own shit and did time for happy I have now. After fifteen years of about this record for a solid hour or so putting cigarettes out on his handcuffed experience, they’re branching out from (for one thing, I haven’t even touched VARIOUS ARTISTS: girlfriend? The fact that someone is their typical roster of punk and hardcore on the terrific, insightful lyrics) but Drink, Fight, Fuck Volume 4: CD ignorant or misled enough to put energy bands. This compilation features two I think I’ve done enough fawning for I don’t respect G.G. Allin, nor do I hate into a project like Drink, Fight, Fuck Vol. facets of local Las Vegas—one side now. If the above name drops intrigue G.G. Allin. I really don’t want to critique 4 is depressing. For what it’s worth, it’s features “punk rock in its purest form” you at all, check this out as soon as the cultural relevance or irrelevance interesting to hear bands with a lick of and the other is a hodgepodge of pop, you can. It’s phenomenal. –Dave of G.G. I simply think G.G. is funny talent do these songs, some of them are dance, folk, and experimental music. Williams (Trip Machine Laboratories, because he ate shit and rolled around reinterpreted as legit garage or straight There’s a forty page zine included with tripmachinelabs.com) in it while singing songs about fucking up punk. But why does G.G. get a pass? each page dedicated to the bands on the dog. I think watching footage of him Why is a fanzine with an anti-racist, pro- the record, complete with professional UNWED: “Made Of” b/w “Pope”: 7” can be pretty funny, too. For instance, women policy making an exception for photos. For the most part, I enjoy the I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when he’s in a flophouse beating his G.G.? Why am I making an exception Side B of non-punk stuff but it’s a bit when I first put on Unwed, but it was empty head against the wall, repeatedly for G.G.? Do we need an archetype of a gamble. There’s some nice folky not what I thought it would be. To chanting “I hate you motherfuckers,” or of extremity to keep some kind of autumn feeling at the first half of the say I was blown away would be like the one where he’s having someonepiss unspoken punk rock balance? Does his second side, but you also get slow describing a Cat 5 hurricane as a slight in his mouth for his birthday (Okay, I art engender some kind of dialogue? tempo electro pop of Boiis, which breeze. The two tracks on this 7” are didn’t have the fortitude to watch the No, really, I’m asking but I just fell into features lines like, “With the touch of dark, brooding, but also insanely damn latter). Anyway, as evidence of how far a two-hour G.G. YouTube hole, myself, your hand / tonight I’ll be your man / catchy. After listening to both sides of along punk has come, I got this G.G. by way of writing this review. Yep, I like scorpions in the hot desert sun.” this over a dozen times, I still wanted Allin cover album to review. I’ll get to just lost two hours of my life watching The last track leaves you with Kill The Scientist, a performance artist a bit more clear-headed now and… I rock fury, but there is some diversity VIVID SEKT: From Ruin: 7” / sound collage one man band who still don’t like it much. No, it’s not about along the way—some songs with more Incredible, dark, melodic anarcho punk talks about gamer nerds and prolapsed the profaning of some choice tunes by of a pure rock’n’roll feel, some that are rock that just reeks of Flux Of Pink rectums over electronic beats. There’s a revered band, and some of the bands more melodic (and remind me somehow Indians, Crass, and Rudimentary Peni, something for everybody! –Kayla responsible—Unfun, Tenement, Crow of Denko’s-era Dag Nasty), and even a with a hearty dose of Sage-steeped Greet (GC, gcrecords.com / Yum Yum, Bait, Bent Outta Shape, Dauntless Elite, decent ska song in the Bosstones vein. melancholy Portland vibes. Some yumyumvinylrecords.com) and Your Pest Band—are not known for Faves on this include All Systems definite Antischism-isms peppered putting out utter crap. No, it’s more about Fail’s “Aging Anarchist,” Die Monster throughout as well. So, so good. –Dave VARIOUS ARTISTS: execution. The first two tracks, easily the Die’s “How Many People Do I Have to Williams (Black Water) Shake/arama ‘14: Cassette strongest overall, are completely blown Kill,” and Decibel Trust’s “The Longest This compilation brings you the who’s out production-wise, while the remainder Hallway,” is easily my favorite song on WE’RE WOLVES: Energy Crisis: EP who in Canadian talent, ranging from suffer from lackluster performance, the record. seems to have Loud and bombastic rock’n’roll that’s synth pop to stoner psych and back flat vocals, or a combination of both. it going on these days; I doff my cap to hard charging as well as message again. As if that’s any surprise of a I cannot stress enough how much all of you! –The Lord Kveldulfr (Pariah orientated. Something you don’t hear too tape made up of bands who played the I really wanted to dig this, and by the Music Club) much of these days. Check out “Screamin’ first year of Shakearama, a new three- look of the packaging alone I’ve no doubt Murder” with its throttling tempo, asking day festival in June put on by Shake! whatsoever that all involved had nothing VIDEO: “Cult of Video” “where’s your rage” in relation to an Records. Personal favorites include but the best of intentions, but I just ain’t b/w “City of Hate”: 7” apathetic society. Then there’s the closer, the cuts from Crosss, Hag Face, and feelin’ it. For the inevitable collector- Video is another in a long line of bands “Sinker” that does some self reflecting Soupcans. Looks like I’ll be heading geeks, this is a one-time pressing of that I discovered through my review amid raging guitar solos and crushing west next year. –Alanna Why (Shake!) eight hundred copies on various colored records from Razorcake. It would have drumming. Think of Mountain crossed vinyl, and four alternate covers. –Jimmy only been a matter of time; I’m sure with Annihilation Time. One of those VARIOUS ARTISTS: Alvarado (Dead Broke) since the members of the band are also records that is meant to played at loud Something to Dü: 7” EP in a few of my other favorites. Their last volume, while you rage on air guitar, Full disclosure: Hüsker Dü is one of those VARIOUS ARTISTS: 7” was my first taste, and I was hooked. with foot firmly planted on a chair—err, “this is about as close to being religious Sounds of Sodium: CD I ordered this new 7” (and their amazing uhh—floor monitor. –M.Avrg (We’re as I’m gonna get”-type of bands for me. This is a comp of bands in and around LP Leather Leather) as soon as I could. Wolves, werewolvesandyouaintshit@ I fuggin’ adore ’em in ways previously Salt Lake City in the year of our Lord Stripped down and mean is the best way hotmail.com) reserved solely for tacos. With that said, 2014, and a part of me wants to move I can describe it. The title track of this this should be tailor-made for a schmuck to Utah just to hear some of these guys record could very well be my favorite WILD BILLY CHILDISH AND CTMF: like me, but I reckon picking this up for play. Twenty-two different bands on Video song. It just keeps building and “Punk Rock Enough for Me” review was probably a mistake. On first here, plus an unnamed bonus track, and building until BOOM! You almost get b/w “Zero Emission”: 7” spin, I flew into a tizzy, howling and most of the tunes are really, really good. whiplash while rocking out and your On his latest single, Billy Childish ranting at perplexed strangers on the Of course, there are a few songs that trip spine feels like someone attached a set stays true to the lo-fi garage aesthetic unforgiving streets of Alhambra about the over themselves, but that’s standard fare of jumper cables. You don’t even get he’s been rocking since the ‘70s in all profanities and sacrilegious cacophony in Compilation Land. All in all, this is a breather before “City of Hate” kicks those Thee bands. This 7” features two contained within this record’s grooves. one of the most solid comps I’ve heard in in on Side B and delivers the knockout straightforward, plodding new tracks. When I’d calmed down four days later, a long time, and rarely have I heard one punch. I fully submit to the Cult of Video. On the first, Childish rattles off a few I decided it might be best to sit on it and so solid that showcases a single scene. So should you. –Ty Stranglehold (No dozen things that are punk rock enough revisit it again in a couple of weeks. I’m Lots of the songs are straight-up punk Good, nogoodrecords.com) for him over three chords. So there’s that, if you’re interested. For the second, clean production to the minimalist power chords with swirling rock’n’roll ZERO BOYS, THE: Monkey: CD his wife Julie takes over lead vocals, labels. I could see this on a soundtrack leads while never softening Fumito’s First full length from this band in which lends a more straight-up ‘77 punk for an indie movie with a lot of lens harsh, animalistic vocals. It’s as if decades shows that they haven’t lost a feel to the whole affair. Billy Childish flares. –Indiana Laub (Photobooth, Your Pest Band are parodying pop step. I was lucky enough to finally get has more than established his sound by [email protected], standards yet simultaneously crafting to see them live—and they deliver the now, so the odds are you know what photoboothrecords.com) music that is distorted and electrified. goods. Longtime members Paul Z and you’re getting when you pick this up. Recommended. –Sean Arenas (Dead Mark Cutsinger are joined by Scott By the way, Damaged Goods is what all XETAS: “The Silence” Broke / Snuffy Smiles) Kellogg and Dave Lawson. There are your records are gonna be if y’all can’t b/w “The Knife”: 7” fifteen songs inside, so you will need throw in a dang paper sleeve. –Indiana Two-song 7” about suicide. Side A, ZENTRALHEIZUNG OF DEATH: to find your own anthem here. There’s Laub (Damaged Goods) “The Silence,” is a melodic post-punk Would You Rather…?: LP plenty to choose from on Monkey. My jam with hardcore group vocals. Side Known more informally as “ZHOD,” only gripe is that the songs from last WILD HEX: II: Cassette B, “The Knife,” has even more melody or less informally as “ZentralHeizung year’s Pro-Dirt EP are also included Yes! I always love the first album in a and group singalongs. Standard “punk” of Death (des Todes)” ((any way you here for some reason. But who cares stack of reviews that brings a smile to sound, but they’ve got good energy. I slice it, it winds up meaning “Central since the Boys are back in town! –Sean my face and Wild Hex wins this round. liked this a lot more than I thought I Heating of Death,” so clearly we’ve Koepenick (Z-Disk, zeroboys.com) Call it whatever you want—it’s rock would. –Alanna Why (12XU) done business with some of the same and fucking roll. The rhythm section landlords)), these nutty Erfurters come ZIPLOCK: Self-titled: LP is tight as can be and the riffs make YOUR PEST BAND: off as sounding like a much less precious Dreadful run-of-the-mill streetpunk you wanna all out, all over the Smash Hits!!: 2008-2011: LP version of latter-day punk-pop-psych- from the arse end of nowhere England. garage. Good, good shit here. –John Given that this is a collection, we’re garage vendors like the Bare Wires Crap three chord riffs, dumb lyrics, Mule (Don’t Touch My Records, granted a glimpse of Japan’s Your Pest ((“Artificial Clouds” in particular)), and sounding like it was recorded in donttouchmyrecords.bandcamp.com) Band’s evolution across four years, but doled out in a much more stompy a bucket. There’s so much great music a handful of records, and twenty-six and gaily festooned package ((although out there, this has no place in the world. WILDHONEY: Seventeen Forever: 7” songs. Side A collects much of their I guess one can’t get much more –Tim Brooks (Suburban White Trash) Loud and heavy in a dreamy, summery early releases which are short, fast, gaily festooned than the Seeking Love way. These three pop songs are driven and on the verge of total collapse, album cover, so I quickly retract that ZOLTARS, THE: by pedal-heavy guitar that ebbs and featuring slurred vocals that wouldn’t allegation)). The longer songs have Walking through the Dark: Cassette swells in slow, shoegazey washes. But be out of place at a drunken night of a nice, Mo Tucker-esque, pounding Eerie and slackertastic hooks have it’s the melodies that keep this from karaoke. These early endeavors feel chug to them; the faster songs come me hearing some Sebadoh and some fading into the faceless background like Tokyo’s answer to Hickey. This off almost like a less-hyper version of Zombies in The Zoltars’ melancholy, lo- fuzz that unadulterated shoegaze can begs the question: How does Your Sweet Baby. I don’t know what kind of fi psyche rock. If you’re looking for this turn into (at least for those of us who Pest Band persevere to the end of a drugs they’ve been putting in my girlie on the cassette rack at your local record don’t live and die by rare My Bloody song when they sound so close to ruin? drink, but I, for one, welcome our new store (which I suggest you do), keep in Valentine singles). Frontwoman I want to believe that it was as much insect overlords. BEST SONG: “Jodie’s mind that the title is misspelled on the Lauren’s breathy vocals are mixed of a struggle as it sounds. Side B is Car.” BEST SONG TITLE: “Pressure j-card’s spine. The album’s not really just right—buried too deep to be fully more my cup of tea as they transition Leak.” FANTASTIC AMAZING called “Walking Trough the Dark.” intelligible, but somehow still soaring comfortably from thrashy melodic TRIVIA FACT: Record spine reads –Chris Terry (Burger) over the instrumentals. Everything punk towards Teengenerate-style pop down-to-up and I hate that. –Rev. Nørb Read 21,644 more record reviews at about this release is elegant, from the mania. The guitars begin to intermingle (Alien Snatch, aliensnatch.com) razorcake.org/record-reviews

CONTACT ADDRESSES to bands and labels that were reviewed eitherrazorcake.org in this issue. or recently posted on

• 12XU, 3005 South Lamar, • Don Giovanni, PO Box • Luftslott, Furuvägen 10, • Relapse, PO Box 2060, D109-403, Austin, TX 78704 628 Kingston, NJ 08528 91335 Holmsund, Sweden Upper Darby, PA 19082 • Adagio830, • Dusty Medical, PO Box • Maneki-Neko Music, 16/2 • Roman Candles, Marchlewski Strasse 107, 1981, Milwaukee, WI 53201 Hillend Place, Edinburgh, 5082 Wendover Rd., 10243 Berlin, Germany • Erste Theke Tonträger, Scotland EH8 7AE Yorba Linda, CA 92886 • Alien Snatch, Bolbergstraße 28/1, 72820 • Manglor, PO Box 1101, • Salinas, PO Box 32257, Rodenbergstraße 31, Sonnenbühl, Germany DeKalb, IL 60115 Detroit, MI 48232 10439 Berlin, Germany • F.Y.B.S., 2773 42nd St., • Maximum Pelt, • Self Destructo, 1000 • Alternative Tentacles, PO Sacramento, CA 95817 2841 W. Belden Ave., North Overland Trail, Box 419092, SF, CA 94141 • Fat Sandwich, Chicago, IL 60647 Laporte, CO 80521 • Bachelor, PO Box 770784, • Mills Records Company, • Sexy Baby, 6318 N. Clark 5421 Adnet 186, Austria Memphis, TN 38177 314 Westport Rd., #201, Chicago, IL 60660 • Bakery Outlet, • Fat Wreck, 2196 Palou Kansas City, MO 64111 • Shake!, PO Box 4054, Ave., SF, CA 94124 • Modern Action, PO Box 4203 Rossiter Dr., Victoria, St. Augustine, FL 32085 • FDH, 522 Hoffman St., 1452, Sonoma, CA 95476 BC V8N 4S8, Canada • Beautiful Music, The, , PA 19148 • Muckman, 184 Rogers St. • Shallow Graves, 207 Bank St. #129 Ottawa, • Foolios, 1104 Hoffman NE #301, Atlanta, GA 30317 4052 N. Elston Ave., Ontario K2P 2N2, Canada Ave., Alber Lea, MN 56007 • Nacional, Chicago, IL 60618 • Big Neck, • Fysisk Format, 10627 Burbank Blvd., North • Slovenly, PO Box 204, 39877 Thomas Mill Rd., PB 8828, St. Olavs Plass, Hollywood, CA 91601 Reno, NV 89504 Leesburg, VA 20175 0130 Oslo, Norway • National Dust, PO Box • Snappy Little Numbers, • Black Water, • GC, PO Box 93324, Las 2454, Portland, OR 97208 PO Box 370602, PO Box 5223, Vegas, NV 89193 • Nervous Nelly, C/O Denver, CO 80237 Portland, OR 97208 • Going Underground, Thompson, PO Box 90099, • Snot Releases, PO Box • Boss Tuneage, PO Box 74, 1822 G St., Nashville, TN 37209 332, Carrboro, NC 27510 Sandy, Bedfordshire, Bakersfield, CA 93301 • Nikt Nic Nie Wie, • Solar Flare, 49 Av. De La SG19 2WB, UK • Grey Chord, 2036 N. PO Box 53, 34-400 Liberation, 63000 • Bridge Sounds, 25 Seville Humboldt Blvd. #3E, Nowy Targ, Poland Clermont-Ferrand, France Rd, Forrestfield, Perth, Chicago, IL 60647 • No Idea, PO Box 14636, • Suburban White Trash, Western Australia, 6058 • Halo Of Flies, Gainesville, FL 32604 PO Box 270594, Fort • Brilliancy Prize, c/o Cory von Bohlen, • Norton, Box 646 Cooper Collins, CO 80527 PO Box 65116, 3444 N. Bremen St, Station, NY, NY 10276 • Superior Viaduct, PO San Antonio, TX 78265 Milwaukee, WI 53212 • Nothing But A Nightmare, Box 193563, SF, CA 94119 • Burger, 645 S. State • Happy Ass, 12862 Joy St., Suite D, • Take It Back, c/o College Blvd. #A, 81 West Congress St., Garden Grove, CA 92840 Christian Unsinn, Danestr Fullerton, CA 92831 Denton, TX 76201 • Off The Books, 13, 10439 Berlin, Germany • Captcha, 1761 Linton • HHBTM, PO Box 742, 1200 5th Ave. N, Apt #5, • Thrillhouse, 3422 Mission Ave., Eureka, CA 95501 Athens, GA 30603 Seattle, WA 98109 St., SF, CA 94110 • Certified PR, • Hockey Dad, #2-823 • Paper + Plastick, • Time For Action, 6364 3rd Ave. S., Victoria Dr., Vancouver, BC, 619 S Main St., Ste. C, Ederstrasse 14, 60486 Saint Petersburg, FL 33707 Canada V5L 4E8 Gainesville, FL 32601 Frankfurt, Germany • Cleopatra, • In The Red, PO Box • Pasazer, PO Box 42, 39- • To Live A Lie, c/o Will 11041 Santa Monica Blvd., 50777, LA, CA 90050 201 Debica 3, Poland Butler, 2825 Van Dyke Ave., LA, CA 90025 • It’s Alive, 11411 Hewes • Peterwalkee, Raleigh, NC 27607-7021 • Coolidge, 5002 Penn Ave., St., Orange, CA 92869 299 West Delavan Ave., • Total Punk, 1231 Virginia Pittsburgh, PA 15224 • Jailhouse, Buffalo, NY 14213 Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 • Damaged Goods, 2807 Bending Oak Dr., • Phono Select, • Trash Axis, PO Box 45854, , Hampton, VA 23666 4370 24th St. Unit O, 2754 Snowdrop St., E11 1YX, Great Britain • Kong Tiki A/S, Sacramento, CA 95822 San Diego, CA 92105 • Dead Broke, 139 Huber Box 1099, Majorstuveien • Photobooth, • Twisted Chords, Reutweg Ave., Holbrook, NY 11741 17, 0367, Oslo, Norway 2203 Lodge Forest Dr., 1a, 76327 Pfinztal, Germany • Deranged, c/o Gordon • Let’s Pretend, PO Box Baltimore, MD 21219 • Twistworthy, PO Box Dufresne, 2700 Lower Rd., 1663, Bloomington, IN 47402 • Phratry, PO Box 14267, 4491, Austin, TX 78765 Roberts Creek, BC V0N • Life On An Island, Cincinnati, OH 45250 • Windian, Eric Brady, 2W4 Canada 26 Makamah Rd., • Profane Existence, 6210 Way, • Die Slaughterhaus, Northport, NY 11768 PO Box 4424, Elkridge, MD 21075 PO Box 160168, • Lost Cat, PO Box 2121, St. Paul, MN 55104 Atlanta, GA 30316 Saint Cloud, MN 56302 • Purepainsugar, 46 Rue du • Dirt Cult, • Lost State, c/o Trey Rhône, 69007 Lyon, France 15141 E Burnside St., Hanawalt, 4870 Miramon • Recess, PO Box 1666, Portland, OR 97233 Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422 San Pedro, CA 90733 • Divine Mother, 135 13th • Loud Punk, PO Box 6115, • Red Scare, PO Box Ave., Eastman, GA 31023 Albany, NY 12203 13285, Chicago, IL 60613 “(Questionable) REVIEWSZINE advice on courting and Send all zines for review to: Razorcake, PO Box 42129, LA, CA 90042 romance.” Please include a postal –Craven Rock address (that’s how we trade), DRUNKEN MASTER #13 the number of pages, the price, and whether or not you accept trades.

ARTCORE #32, £5.00, 8½” x 12”, 36 pgs. serve a shark soup, and a personal childhood story/hypothesis on Welly’s been doing this zine since Methuselah was in elementary school, “how flashers and creeps get their start.” (Kiyoshi implies he was able and it’s one of the few I look forward to reading whenever I manage to to resist.) Drunken Master also reprints both sides of the illustrated procure a copy. I reckon this is ‘cause he and I, being around from feud with “rival” comic artist Ben Snakepit. Reading a bunch of “Won about roughly the same place on the punk rock time continuum, share Ton Not Now” together brings seemingly random bits of well-drawn similar sensibilities regarding this whole punk thing—while nothing weirdness into a whole... that of Kiyoshi’s warped mind. Yep, this beats learning about a new band that makes your head turn or catching dude seems a little unhinged. On that note, get this and we’ll both stay up with an older group that’s still slugging it out in the trenches, it’s also on his good side? –Craven Rock (luckynakazawa.etsy.com) just as cool to get some insight on where we’ve been as a subculture, and how it’s developed and expressed itself elsewhere. To that end, this INSIDE ARTZINE #17, $6.85, 8 ¼” x 11 ¾”, print, 48 pgs. issue features interviews with Zero Boys, Poison Idea, Grand Collapse, The title of this zine is a bit pedestrian considering the contents. Or Zero Gain, Lobster Killed Me, 1984 (a “reunion,” of sorts, featuring maybe there’s just a word missing. Maybe it was supposed to be called two former members of Crucifix), Static Shock Records, and Young Inside-Out Artzine. That would be more appropriate, since a substantial Conservatives, as well as a couple of “Vaultage” articles on Adrenalin portion of this art is blood and guts twisted into all sorts of brilliant O.D. and Celibate Rifles, a repress of a snarky English article on L.A. shapes. There’s a lot of great art to stare at in these pages. My favorite punk circa 1979, and an overview of the 1980s Norwegian hardcore is “Babylon,” a painting by Michael Hutter, which features a crew of scene. As per usual, the whole thing’s well written and put together grotesque desert dwelling creature-people trudging forward with open with obvious care and thought, and includes a little something extra for maws and outstretched tongues. The only criticism I have is that the the dedicated, this time ‘round a repress of the debut EP by old Inland zine leans a bit heavy on digital photo manipulation art, which can be Empire punkers Human Therapy. A great read, from start to finish. cool but some of it is blah. That type of art has a place, but it shouldn’t –Jimmy Alvarado (Artcore, c/o 27 Llantarnam Rd., Cardiff, CF14 3EF, take the spotlight in a zine like this. –MP Johnson (inside-artzine.de) Wales, UK, artcorefanzine.co.uk) MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #376, $4.99, newsprint, 8¼” x 10¾”, 128 pgs. CRUISING DIARIES, THE, 5 ½ x 8 ½”, 52 pgs. 2015 marks my twenty-fifth year as an MRR reader. While certain fine Damn-grrrl. Unabashed, straight (no pun intended) hilarious, balls-out points might have changed, the zine remains essentially the same as sexcapades tales of Brontez Purnell. Perhaps best known for fronting it did back then, bursting with crucial information about punk and its for The Younger Lovers, Brontez Purnell’s Cruising Dairies shows related subgenres. Balancing covering new bands with keeping track that life is so much more outrageous than fiction, when you’re Brontez of history, there’s always valuable information in MRR. This issue that is. No lessons to be learned, no values to be judged, each golden is especially exciting in that it covers the documentary Traces in the tidbit story is told as erotic fiction with over-the-top illustrations that Snow, an upcoming movie chronicling 1980s Siberian punk. Other perfectly fit the absurdity of it all. Tales of dicks both big and small, features include articles and interviews pertaining to the Dishrags, bathroom blowjobs, fisting, shrooming, oppressive dicks, homeless Gas Rag, S.H.I.T., Iron Lung Records, and much more. There’s also a dicks, bathhouse antics, and um, poop dick, are laugh-out-loud funny. scene report from Greece, a ton of interesting reviews, and informative The illustrations by Janelle Hessig are brilliant, both funny and at ads from labels small and large. I can’t imagine a world without MRR. times hilariously disgusting. The embellished warted schlong is Hopefully the zine continues for many more decades, lovably staining forever etched into my brain. Glad I picked up this little tiddy before future generations’ fingers with newsprint. –Art Ettinger (MRR, PO the kiddos came home. For adults only. –Camylle Reynolds (Gimme Box 460760, SF, CA 94146) Action, gimmeaction.com) MISHAP #33 Vol. 2, 5 ½ x 8 ½”, copied, $1 or trade, 27 pgs. DRUNKEN MASTER #13, 7” x 10”, off set, $5, 52 pgs. This is the second volume of Ryan Mishap’s book review issue, the Most of this zine is made up of reprints of “Won Ton Not Now,” a first half of which I recently raved about. I’m sure he had his reasons comic by Kiyoshi Nakazawa which has run in Razorcake for years. (In for making two volumes. Maybe to make it fold better or to split up spite of the artist’s inability to spell the fanzine in the introduction— printing costs? But they could have easily been included into one apologies via post-it notes accepted. I understand it isn’t in spell issue and for the better. There are some good reviews in this issue, check like “cake”... or “razor.”) It’s nice to see them in here all at but also many that assume the reader is familiar with the gist of the once. I had no problem reading them over again and even picked up book or are simply way too short, leaving the reader without much on little details I missed the first time, for instance, how the skullfaced to go on. For instance, in one review he says, “I find myself wanting man cropdusting the party is also flashing a peace sign as he leaves to describe scenes and arcs, and characters—but you’ll just have to the room in his stinky haze. It’s all here, the irritable advice on bar read them for yourself.” I feel Ryan’s original inclination was correct, and social etiquette, (questionable) advice on courting and romance the review is also lacking in a basic synopsis. Simply describing (like using your bare ass to compete with the annoying bad boy punk something as a “magical realist historical fiction graphic novel... with who gets all the babes [it also involves his face, a bit of cleverness humor, seriousness, and respect,” is not enough to get me to check it and manipulation of bro insecurity]), a piece on why you shouldn’t out. When someone reads a book review, they should be ready to read the book, not to further research what the book is about. I have to instance, art dissing George Bush... he’s not the president. Then there’s come out and say that I’m a personal friend and fan of Ryan’s work so the super convoluted stuff like a collage of Michelle Obama in front I know a bit more than others. (I’m his friend on goodreads.com, too.) of a Wal-Mart. I don’t get it. Does she shop at Wal-Mart? Is it simply I hope I’m not assuming too much, but feel like a lot of his reviews because they’re both bad? If someone writes “war on terror? War is in here were first posted that site; some I’m pretty sure I’ve read. The terror,” on a wall in Sharpie that’s pretty cool, right? What context does downside of that is most people go there are already looking up the it add to pose a babe in front of that wall in a photo for publication in book or have the synopsis right in front of them. There doesn’t need Sheeple? I’m all for sticking it to The Man, “art being a hammer” and to be as lengthy of a description in that context. Enough criticism. all of that but most of Sheeple is just kind of irritating. –Craven Rock There are some parts in here definitely worth reading. Get it along (StopTheWTO, PO Box 418, NY, NY 10116) with volume 1 and read them in order. –Craven Rock (Mishap, PO Box 5841, Eugene, OR 97405, [email protected]) TAPE WÜRM #1, $5 color cover, $3, b&w, 8½ x 11”, copied, 26 pgs. This zine is the project of a serious tape fiend. Leif Lundgren has MISHAP #33, free/trade, 8½” x 5½”, 44 pgs. a strong affinity for what most people view as an archaic medium, I’m so proud to announce a killer issue of Mishap! It’s one of his so much so that he’s dedicated a full zine to it. Having relocated occasional “book issues” where he covers books he’s been reading. from Oakland, CA to Japan, he quickly sorted out where to go tape But it’s so much more. The introduction is immensely relevant, a bold hunting in his new home. I get the feeling that cassettes are regarded defense of stories of all sorts talking about how they “define how as outdated in Asia as they are in the states, as Leif is constantly we act as social creatures” and how all stories need to be analyzed buying them up with no prior knowledge in some cases. He gives a and deconstructed. He goes as far as to say that everything we say is comprehensive list of the best shops in Tokyo to scour shelves for these somehow a story, so they define our reality. The dominant fictional spooled wonders. As he goes over in his introduction, points are dealt story, our culture, is an oppressive and hegemonic one, so there are out for unique packaging: colored tapes, colored cases, screen printed plenty of smaller stories to back it up. He calls on us to resist these covers, killer art, etc. The zine aims to elevate an interest in cassettes stories. He continues this line of thought in his review of Shaped by and reviews any and all that come his way. The reviews are brutally “...oppressive dicks, homeless dicks, bathhouse antics, and um, poop dick.” –Camylle Reynolds | THE CRUISING DIARIES

Stories and more importantly when he deconstructs Louis L’amour’s honest, snarky, and hilarious if they don’t tickle his fancy. Though if Western novels, calling them out for being racist, genocide-supporting, they do, you’re in for an even better treat! Each review is engaging historical revisionism that we accept as fact because we’re so used to and very entertaining—even when you have no point of reference for hearing it. He says, “Most white people in the U.S. are predisposed the bands discussed, which was often the case for me. Issue number to believe all that romantic Old West bullshit, so writers don’t have one covers a lot of heavy, metally grindcore types of bands which to try very hard. When a writer taps into these national myths, they the author has a specialized interest in. A good portion of the zine don’t have to be accurate or true because we already believe the lies.” also covers being a foreigner and transplant in a completely different He ties that to current times and how we accept so much racism in culture. Leif moved to Japan to teach English after college and has media and how these myths allow racialized oppression to continue. managed to transport a life of rock, beer, and zines over with him. Brilliant! –Craven Rock (Mishap, PO Box 5841, Eugene, OR 97405) The first issue (of what I hope will be many) culminates with a show review of Noise A-Go-Go, a rock’n’roll grindcore band that he saw RIPPLE ROCK #2, 6” x 8”, copied, 78 pgs. on a whim. In this he shares his worry of not finding the music niche Ripple Rock is a Finnish zine based around interviewing people from he so loved in Oakland, and the pure elation of finally experiencing it bands, microbreweries, and hockey players. The author is pretty overseas. –Kayla Greet ([email protected]) obsessed with all three and they are more linked than I would imagine. Take NHL player Boyd Devereaux who runs an indie label or Scott WICKED VIBES #2, $4, 6 ¼” x 9 ½”, printed, 52 pgs. Heder of Burnt Hickory Brewing who makes beers named after bands I love horror anthologies, particularly EC Comics, The House of like X and Killdozer. Depending on how much you care about this stuff Secrets, and anything by Bernie Wrightson. That’s why I was grinning will probably have a lot to do with how much you relate to the zine. like an idiot during most of Wicked Vibes, a self-published anthology They were all well-done, well-researched interviews but I don’t care too comic. This issue includes a handful of short stories illustrated by much about beer (except drinking it) or hockey, but the talks with Joey different artists but all written by Dillon Hallen with a closing prose Keithley (D.O.A) and John Darnielle (Mountain Goats) were really story thrown into the mix. Each tale has a tongue-in-cheek ‘80s interesting. You’ll also get interviews with Swampland, The Chain quality reminiscent of , including requisite twist endings Letters, Robert Scott (Flying Nun, The Bats, ), The Shivvers and gross out moments. All of the art is well done and sometimes and “A Brief and Imperfect History of Milwaukee Punk 1973-1982”. A exceptional, especially Richie Murray’s crosshatch style, which solid zine. If punk, hockey, and beer is your trifecta then don’t pass this reminds me of Peter Bagge or Kim Deitch. Some of the stories are one up. –Craven Rock ([email protected]) more than competent and even surprising, like “Circuit Beach,” which is about self-aware androids, while others, like “Schlock Cola,” are SHEEPLE #2, $4.99, 8 ½” x 11”, off set, 30 pgs. entertaining in a Troma kind of way. Need more proof that Wicked This is a slick, full-color, glossy zine full of leftist, agitprop art. I’m glad Vibes is playful smut? Then look no further than the ad featuring a people are making political art and satire, but this doesn’t do a whole seductive version of Neek, the alien from Joe Dante’s Explorers. That’s lot for me. Perhaps it would for a young activist or a lifetime organizer. a deep cut. Recommended for those whose favorite police procedural I want a little more, though, than pictures of Uncle Sam pointing is Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. –Sean Arenas (Dillon Hallen, 320 and saying “I’m spying on you” and the V is for Vendetta mask, or E. Clarence St. Milwaukee, WI 53207, repomanjlp@hotmail. illustrations of someone being waterboarded with an American flag on 2,097 more zine reviews at their face. I’m confused by the relevance of some of it, too. Take, for razorcake.org/punk-zine-reviews 105

Burning Britain: Th e History of UK Punk 1980—1984 By Ian Glasper 449 pgs. Growing up in Michigan in the early ‘80s, and not in the “cool” side of Michigan that everybody knows about (Detroit is somehow cool?), U.K. punk might as well have been from Mars. Touring bands didn’t BOOK play Muskegon until around 1983. I don’t ever remember a “big name” REVIEWS band from the U.K. playing West Michigan until the late ‘80s. Also, most of the U.K. punk albums I remember seeing at the record store, like the Exploited or GBH, were import-only and were three times as much as a Black Flag album. Therefore, I bought a lot of Black Flag albums. In 2004, Ian Glasper published Burning Britain, The History of UK Punk 1980- 1984, which gave a lot of insight to not only the more well-known bands’ histories, but some of the lesser known, obscure bands like Red London or Infa-Riot were featured as well. And in a few cases, some of these bands have compelling stories to tell. Although Burning Britain is a thick book, and it’s jam packed with band interviews about line-up changes and funny anecdotes, I wished the book could have investigated deeper into the creation of some of the seminal records from this time. We learn more about the personalities of the band than we learn about the band’s artistic approach. Perhaps there wasn’t any artistic ethos, but I’m curious why the Exploited used tom-tom rhythms, and I’m still not entirely clear what the hell Discharge was thinking with Grave New World. Whatever, it was, I still laugh whenever I think of the first time I heard that record. Burning Britain is an excellent book for an overview of a hugely influential, Th e Aftermath of Forever prolific, and interesting punk rock scene. I’m amazed by how normal some of By Natalye Chiloress, 159 pgs. these bands are. Many are a group of friends who got together and wrote some Love hurts, there’s no getting around it. Ask any musician ever—hell, songs, played some gigs, toured around, put out a few records, and broke up. any person past puberty—and there’s no doubt in my mind they’ll be able When their photos were printed in fanzines all around the world, they were to regale you with a tale of love’s brutality in some form or another. As so otherworldly, with long spiky hair and leather pants, black guitars, and snarling poignantly stated in the novel’s foreword, despite spending a good chunk faces. Ian Glasper captured those photos and humanized them. Burning Britain of your life with a person, despite intertwining your social lives and day to is a compilation of the stories behind the pimply teenagers who stared out from day habits, oftentimes at the end of a relationship the experience is reduced the thin newsprint fanzines and record inserts from the early ‘80s U.K. punk to “a shoebox of mementos to be stashed away and forgotten.” Bleak? Yes. scene. This also contains updated discographies. –Steve Hart (PM Press, PO Accurate? Definitely. Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623) “Klaus Fluoride once played in a band with Billy Squier.” –Jimmy Alvarado , Dead Kennedys: Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables: Th e Early Years

I am awed by the strength it must have taken Natalye Chiloress to dredge up the memories of her past lovers—memories most people would prefer to Dead Kennedys: Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables: Th e Early Years keep buried. There’s something to be said about a person who can deal with By Alex Ogg, 216 pgs. their past in such a mature and level-headed manner. I mean, there’s a reason If nothing else, author Alex Ogg should receive some sorta award for why burning an ex-partner’s possessions is such a cliché: because it happens managing to circumnavigate assorted landmines and turn in a book that more often than people want to admit. Working through your feelings is incorporates all Dead Kennedys members pertinent to the story. The vitriol fucking terrifying so choosing a (literally) destructive option that provides a that peppers the relationships between various members—especially that bit of instant gratification can be pretty damn appealing. Though I’ve never between Biafra and East Bay Ray—can occasionally be felt bubbling just set an impassioned break up conflagration, I have been the “burned” and I’ve under the surface and Ogg doesn’t shy away from presenting their often gotta say it’s really shitty from that side, too. So, to stare blatantly in the face contradictory accounts of the band’s history up to their titular album. Starting of not one but ten ended “relationships” (that term is used for simplicity’s pre-punk and working its way forward, the book is chock full of interesting sake) takes more guts than I have at this point of my life. tidbits about past lives (the revelation that Klaus Fluoride once played in a Chiloress’s approach is intriguing: each chapter delineates a different band with Billy Squier was particularly savory), song origins, and the band’s man and each of the experiences with those men, in turn, begets its own placement within the greater history of San Francisco’s punk underground. playlist. The execution, however, missed the mark for me. There’s overlap While this writer found the occasional self-referential interjections in some of these relationships—attributed in this memoir to the regular that pepper the book a bit distracting, and the appendix filled with kudos habits within the San Francisco area dating scene. While I understand that for the band from “famous” people they’d apparently influenced wholly real life events are rarely as neatly recorded and arranged as those in a unnecessary and almost willfully obtuse to punk’s whole point, the bulk novel, the lack of chronology within this memoir was puzzling at best and of the tale itself was engaging, well organized and, most important of all, frustrating at worst. Without any specific major events, the ability to orient clearly written by someone with a working knowledge of his subject and the myself was stripped from me. If there had been mention of just Chiloress’s world in which they moved. The brilliant decision to include choice visuals age during each chapter or approximate dates, for example, I would have courtesy of photographer Ruby Ray and frequent DK collaborator/collagist been a lot less frustrated throughout. I wanted to follow Chiloress’s growth Winston Smith makes this all the more crucial. Ogg is also savvy enough as a person, but that became difficult when I was unsure if the cringe- to know it’s best to leave his readers wanting more, abruptly stopping after worthy decisions being made in later chapters actually happened before or Fresh Fruit’s release, deftly closing the first chapter of Dead Kennedys after the earlier chapters. Further, the short length of each of the chapters, history while leaving a door open for subsequent volumes, should enough though concise in their approach, left me craving more detail to make interest warrant such a thing. –Jimmy Alvarado (PM Press, PO Box 23912, sense of the actions happening within. –Ashley Ravelo (Microcosm, 2752 Oakland, CA 94623) N Williams Ave., Portland, OR 97227) 107

Forbidden Activities for Neglected Children aren’t the driving force of the novel. They inform the novel and are a part By Skinner, 36 pgs. of the nuanced landscape in which you get to know the characters and This is not a coloring book I’d recommend for any children. Instead, I’d understand their flaws. When I finished the book I felt like I had witnessed offer this up as a means of appeasing your disturbed and demented inner an exorcism. Demons are real: cultural demons, historical demons, child that sets small fires in the dark corners of your mind. This book personal demons. And they seem to like neon lights. includes activities like choosing a new mom or dad from a group of Highly fucking recommended. –Matthew Hart (Tyrus Books, gruesome monsters and illustrations of melting, dripping-faced demons (Is tyrusbooks.com) it blood? Is it pus? That’s up to you!). Some highlights include a crazed- looking ET smothering a young boy with chloroform and a senile wizard, Th e Jesus Lizard Book complete with walker, inquiring as to whether or not you’ve seen his pills. By Th e Jesus Lizard, 176 pgs. My absolute favorite part was the full color sheet of stickers included in the As if being one of punk’s greatest live acts and releasing some of back. –Ashley Ravelo (Last Gasp, 777 Florida St., SF, CA 94110) the best, and most challenging, music to come out of that scene weren’t enough, the Jesus Lizard now fancy themselves authors. Dipping into Forest of Fortune their archives, and their noggins, they’ve culled together a tome that By Jim Ruland, 288 pgs. immediately takes its rightful place as their fans’ mother lode of info. Forest of Fortune is a hard book to define. In my mind, there are Laid out more or less chronologically, the book tells the band’s tale, from two categories of books that are difficult to define: books that are so inception to their 2009 reunion, and buries that thread under a mountain unorganized and meandering that it’s hard to say what the point of it all of photos, flyer/poster reproductions, reminiscences from fans and fellow was; and books that elude easy definition because it’s impossible to point scenesters (usually one and the same), personal recollections, an interview at one element of the book and say, “That’s what this is.” Forest of Fortune with producer (and Gang Of Four guitarist) Andy Gill, and copious notes is of the latter category. about each album courtesy of bassist David Wm. Sims. Given its authors, “Demons are real: cultural demons, historical demons, personal demons. And they seem to like neon lights.” –Matthew Hart, Forest of Fortune

It’s a novel that’s dark and hilarious, illuminating and uncomfortable, the book is much like the band—both anarchic and deceptively structured, rich and page-turning, sweet and tragic, ethereal, painfully real, and awash in color, often very funny and a helluva ride. Know a cat who thinks unfailingly tragic. It’s possible to be lost within your own zip code. Because the Jesus Lizard are the bee’s knees? Here’s your next Christmas/birthday/ wherever you go, there you are. Whatever drugs you take, whatever job you Arbor Day present for ‘em. –Jimmy Alvarado (Akashic Books, PO Box have, whatever love you feel or receive, you still operate within the best and 1456, NY, NY 10009) worst aspects of yourself. Forest of Fortune is a novel about choices, about survival, and about sacrifice. Men Explain Th ings to Me The novel follows three characters; Pemberton, Lupita, and Alice. By Rebecca Solnit, 130 pgs. Pemberton isn’t morally bankrupt, but he sure ain’t morally wealthy. He’s in Every generation of women needs its manifesto, the one that coalesces advertising, a copywriter from L.A. His flaws are the flaws of his industry: all the crap they’ve experienced and observed and heard about from older self-indulgent, short sided, predictably depraved. Pemberton’s story begins women, that crap that men never seem to have to deal with, into one book with him hitting rock bottom. His fiancée dumps him and he finds himself that gets recommended and word-of-mouthed enough for it to slowly seep working at an Indian casino, Thunderclap, on the Yukemaya Reservation into the culture, so that even people who never have read it have at least outside of San Diego. At first, the job is an attempt to get his shit together in sort of heard about it. Men Explain Things to Me is likely going to be the order to get his fiancée back. However, his addictions and his past intervene next one. almost the second he gets off the bus. It has the urgency of the best political pamphlets, can be read in one Alice is an epileptic slot machine maintenance worker at Thunderclap sitting, and I can see the students I commute with reading it by choice. And who has been disenrolled from the tribe she grew up in. Growing up with an there’s that great title, which is what first attracted my attention (partly alcoholic mother and without a father, Alice is forced to work for the tribe because I’m pretty sure I’ve been one of those men). that disenrolled her without any of the benefits. Like Lewis Carroll’s fabled Solnit’s skill lies particularly in drawing compelling parallels between Alice, Ruland’s Alice is privy to a reality other than our own. She has visions street-level and globe-level—with other writers, this can result in a thesis of a mysterious woman who appears to know something about her and the that’s far-fetched and/or trivializing, but in Men Explain Things to Me, Solnit story has a whole. compares the sexual assault of a woman by the head of the International Lupita is a Thunderclap regular. She spends her days gambling with Monetary Fund with the predations of the IMF itself, and she leaves you her best friend, Denise, an older woman who is the embodiment of wing- wondering truly how much of the world’s begins with how boys are nutedness. Lupita’s past and the reason why she practically lives at the raised to treat girls. casino get unraveled throughout the novel. She also highlights, perhaps unintentionally, the intractability of male The book is punctuated by the seasons and four accompanying violence against women: regarding a particular 2013 attack, she writes of interludes that take place outside of the three characters’ time. In these brief “a man [approaching] a woman with both desire and the furious expectation moments you glimpse at the machinations of something numinous in the that the desire will likely be rebuffed.” While it doesn’t usually result in land of the Yukemaya. Strange things are indeed afoot at the Thunderclap violence—that yin-yanged desire and expectation, the human cock in conflict Casino. Pemberton is subsisting on a steady diet of booze, drugs, and verbal with itself—is an eternal verity, and how the hell you do you address it? abuse from his old guard Mad Men-style boss. Alice is having visions How do you teach empathy? How do you teach impulse control (especially and dealing with her pot-selling roommate’s raprock boyfriend. Lupita is here in the 21st century)? Has anyone figured that out yet? worried that her friend’s wing-nutedness has gone too far or in too deep. The Get Men Explain Things to Me, spend two or three hours reading it, then three characters swirl around a mysterious slot machine that seems to affix pass it along. –Jim Woster (Haymarket Books, PO Box 180165, Chicago, IL itself in the mind of everyone who comes in contact with it. 60618, haymarketbooks.org) Where Forest of Fortune shines for me is in Ruland’s lack of condemnation of both advertising and casino culture. It would be easy to Slip of the Tongue rail against advertising or expound upon casino psychology (two worlds By Katie Haegele, 158 pgs. that Ruland is familiar with). But what makes this novel compelling and I like books that are collections of short stories or essays, so Katie worthy of multiple readings is in the fact that a treatment of advertising Haegele’s Slip of the Tongue was definitely up my alley. Haegele has always and the intricacies of casino psychology are present in the novel, but they had an interest in linguistics. She majored in it in college but doesn’t write 109

“It’s become that much more diffi cult to fi nd, let alone be exposed to, things one knows diddly squat about. Books like this are an easy remedy for that.” –Jimmy Alvarado, Th ey Could Have Been Bigger than EMI Part 1: Europe in an academic way. But it is that exploration of verbal communication that seemed so short as to be unnecessary. Things that are less than a page or two ties these essays and articles together. She writes, “Thinking about language don’t hit nearly as hard as the more in-depth, personal pieces. They serve as is the way I make sense of my humanity.” filler rather than anything else. While some might think that a book exploring language may not be Otherwise, this is a fun, creative book that can be read quickly or real engrossing, it’s actually quite interesting how Haegele finds ways to digested slowly. And, most importantly, if you’re paying attention, it will connect everyday experiences back into language and does so in a way help you see the way we communicate in a different light. The ability to that is easily communicated to others. open minds and share ideas is amongst the most important things a book can The book is divided into two sections. The first (and longer part) is do. Adding a personal element as Haegele does makes the message all that essays that relate back to language in one sense or another. The second, much more palatable. –Kurt Morris (Microcosm, 2752 N. Williams Ave., smaller section is articles Haegele wrote for various publications. These also Portland, OR 97227) tie in with language in some way. Haegele shares essays where she writes of the differences in language Th ey Could Have Been Bigger than EMI Part 1: Europe she picked up when she lived in Ireland for a year, the history of her house, By Joachim Gaertner, 693 pgs. an exploration of the word “slut,” a visit to the zoo, and a poetry zine she put It’s easy to take for granted what the Internet has replaced until together. The range of topics is enough to keep the reader engaged, even as something like this plops itself into your lap. In a world where pretty much Haegele finds ways to thread the theme of language through them all. everything one wants to know about anything is a few clicks away, and The journalistic articles are a bit different, as they aren’t all written with websites like discogs.com more or less covering the same ground as from such a personal point of view. There’s a great article on the history this tome, it’s only natural that one is gonna question why anyone would of graffiti in Philadelphia and another about Haegele’s attempt to drop her bother with writing, let alone reading something like this. What “this” Philly accent. They’re diverse, but engaging. is, is a mammoth listing of releases from independent European record In many of the essays and articles the author finds ways to incorporate labels specializing in punk and related genres, thousands of ‘em—from experiences from her own life in such a way that by the end of the book the +1 Records to ZZO Recordings—hailing from Austria, Czech Republic, reader has come to a greater understanding of Haegele’s life. In that sense, Denmark, Germany, , Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway, the UK, and so Slip of the Tongue also serves as something of a memoir. on. I perused the book, more than a little overwhelmed at the sheer volume I have a small complaint about Slip of the Tongue: some of the pieces of information contained and kind of sat for a while, tying to figure out just “Tomboy is funny and painful, but most of all it’s honest, and that’s seen by how the author puts herself out there.” –Kurt Morris, Tomboy how one “reviews” such a thing. I don’t think you can, outside of marveling a graphic novel, the focus isn’t so much on the drawing as it is on the at the amount of work that clearly went into putting it together. What one importance of the story. And it is important. can do, however, is plumb through it, pick a random release by a random Liz Prince isn’t a lesbian. She’s not bi-sexual. She’s a female who band and see if there is any trace of ‘em on YouTube or the elsewhere on likes to wear clothes and participate in activities often attributed to the the web. Repeat. I’d never heard of Mets, but their Klik EP on Finland’s male gender. Growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the 1990s, that S.A. Records is blasting away as I type this. Ditto for the Fender Benders’ was a difficult concept for people to understand. (Unfortunately it’s still 1979 “Big Green Thing” single on Sticky. Which dovetails back to where a hard concept for many people to grasp.) Liz endured the verbal slings I started: It’s easy to take for granted what the Internet has replaced. On a and arrows of bullies, both male and female, as well as the occasional platform where one can easily look up information about something they physical abuse from those Neanderthals. In addition to this, she physically want to know about, it’s also become that much more difficult to find, let developed a bit later than the rest of her peers, adding to her own confusion alone be exposed to, things one knows diddly squat about. Books like this as well as that of others’. are an easy remedy for that. –Jimmy Alvarado (Protagoras Academicus, Throughout the book, Liz introduces us to new characters who played Postfach 10 31 17, D60101 Frankfurt/Main, Germany) an important role (for better and for worse) in her life. She shows the trouble trying to make friends when she was younger and the difficulty in dating in Tomboy her teen years. Most importantly, Liz explains to the reader about gender By Liz Prince, 256 pgs. norms, how they’re introduced to us in our culture and what that means. And As many of you reading this may know, Liz Prince, the author of she doesn’t do this in a preachy way, but in a manner that breaks it down into Tomboy, is also a contributor to Razorcake. I’ve also known her for a few simple notions for the potentially untrained reader. And like many of us, she years outside that and have enjoyed her comics. They’re witty and usually ultimately discovered a community in punk, DIY culture, and zines. involve pop culture references I appreciate. Although a press that specializes in books for older teens has published Her latest work, Tomboy, is a graphic memoir that recounts her this graphic novel, the message is an important one for everyone to know. experience growing up as a girl who loved baseball, skateboarding, worms, Nothing is blunted or sidestepped for the audience (cuss words are used!). jeans, and baseball caps. She sure as hell didn’t likeREVIEW dresses. Tomboy is funny and painful, but most of all it’s honest, and that’s seen by From a graphics perspective, my knowledge of the field is limited. how the author puts herself out there, warts and all. There’s no better But Liz’s artwork is playful and free of clutter. Its simplicity matches the type of memoir than that. When the subject matter is compelling and feelings many have of pre-adults: innocent (although there is a drawing can help others, it’s all the better. –Kurt Morris (Zest, 35 Stillman of boobs during a sex-ed class—somewhere there’s probably going to be St., Suite 121, SF, CA 94107) a teen boy masturbating to that) and endearing. And even though this is Read 479 independent book reviews at razorcake.org/punk-book-reviews