Tuned Out - (The Epics) Apart From The Contamination

Label : n/a

Country : US

Year : 1999

Format : C60

I admit, I bought this because it was one of the few tapes filed under Experimental on eBay that wasn't Zooropa or whatever. Another factor was that it's cheap, and that I have no idea what it is. Well, what it is is noizy hardcore punx. Of course, a large factor of the noise can be attributed to recording quality, but noise is noise. Experiment!

A bit of a hail mary, but I'm sure if all else is equal these guys were/are from Allentown. And at least one of them went on to play in the Atown Sluts. Do with that what you will. To digress, I was originally thinking I'd either put this on my varied detritus blog or send a little birdie mail to Terminal Escape since this seems more their bag... Yet here we are.

Do keep in mind that this is a C60 in name only:

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Various Artists - Tête De Bébé

Label : S-S Records - SS020

Country : US

Year : 2006

Format : LP

S-S is a fine label, with it releasing a ton of good stuff and repackaging just the same. And any-body who appreciates Monoshock is good in my book. This particular release, though, doesn't do much for me, toutefois. It's a foreign sequel to the early Ess Ess joint "Babyhead", composed mostly of synth heavy frog garage punx and occasional exp. spasms.

I've not found myself a fan of more straightforward punk musics, especially contemporary forms. I prefer a bit more of a looser structure I guess, though I can't call this uptight. Maybe my receptors are outta whack.

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Shrug - Nevil Wanless E.P.

Label : Our Mam's Records - MAM 00001
Country : UK
Year : 1988
Format : LP

I was feeling a bit giddy this weekend and have been making more rips as per usual, so I figured I'd do a special edition: Harmful little Armful. It originally was gonna be a metapost with multiple rips on one post but then a lightning bolt came through the skies and ripped into my head like a thought, "Nutz to that" I say, archaically. Without any further transgression, here's the first approved vinyl rip of the special, twice in a blogtime extra-vagenza.

I was quite fortunate to find this in a Omaha record shop, though not that surprising considering it was one of my favorite stores I have had the pleasure of plunging into. Although when I bought it lacked both a sleeve for the record cover and the record proper, and the cover had an accursed price tag stuck onto its bearings (my feeble attempt of fully removing said sticker without consequence is seen clearly in the top right corner of my scan. Also note the damp 50% isopropyl alcohol stain).

Going back to the music--and really, that's why we're here--I had mentioned I was fortunate to find this, the reason being that I really like these lads' musings. I made a comparison to the incredible Tall Dwarfs of that one island nation, difference being that this clourish originates from that other island nation, the one that once owned that one island nation on some velvet morning. "Shrug", as weathermen do, is an apt name for this kinda music. Totally confounding in an enchanting sense. The organ heavy punk rhythms win me all over.

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Expect some more rips later on today and tomorrow, I have some free time left in my body.

Billy Synth - We Have Got To Make It On Our Own

Label : Mind Cure Records - MC-107

Country : US

Year : 2015

Format : LP

Not quite Pittsburgh, but close enough. This is some roaring Stooge infused synthgaragepunx from the city of Harriburg, mind the lack of h. I've never really been around that area of the state, but I never would have expected such cool synthetic punk to come outta there. Especially not from around 1978.

This is another release from a local record shop/label that has closed its physical doors and has set its sights towards shows and the wired... Still a cool place, though. The insert includes a positive overview by Michigan's own John Olson, so you know it's kwuite something.

This compilation includes his work with bands such as The Turn Ups and The Janitors, who I am sure are the same bands with different names as bands were wont to do back in those times and today.

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Unwanted Christmas Presents - Unwanted Christmas Presents

Label : Electrocution Records - ELE 33007

Country : US

Year : 1993

Format : LP

I dislike unwanted Christmas presents. Obviously these guys did, too. This WV-bred weirdo punk would fit right in the catalog of Siltbreeze if not for the untimely demise of vocalist/howler/barker Keith Dunleavy, who makes his voice heard throughout this racket of eighties coaltown dementia. The screeching of the frontman is backed by the metallic improvisation of guitarist/various object player Joe Nathan (no relation to the reliever I presume). This is mainly composed of fragments strewn throughout the nineteen eighties via live performance and garage 4-track debauchery. 

Exhibit A: this cool poster outlines the whole process of this little compilation, with some nice drawings to boot. This is the stuff I crave, garage-punk noise trash with a little lore behind it.

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Note that the first track had some residue and/or a scratch on it, so there are some annoying clicks. Luckily, a better version can be found here, along with some other cool things about this obscure little outfit. Also, an interesting interview with Nathan was in Maximum Rock 'n' Roll awhile back, it can be found on page 88 here.

Wicked Cat Soup - Smile. Talk. Eat. Live. Laugh. Naturally.

Label : Lowell Records - LOW-004

Country : US

Year : n/a

Format : 7 inch

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