January 2010

Sometimes photo-montage doesn't work...it does here, though...

Michigan by way of Seattle weirdos the Spits have become the key to low rent punk stuffs during the first decade of this new millennium. Surely, that sounds like hyperbole, but regardless of what the uninitiated believe, the brothers Wood (Erin [sic], Sean) and Lance Phelps bashing drums issued a disc, Vol. IV, in the middle of ’09. And while not everyone in the world is pleased with the disc, it was kinda impossible for the Spits to continue on such a run of acclaimed albums.

That, though, doesn’t mean that the slab is less than previous efforts, just that folks are getting too picky.

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Getting behind the boards for some of the most famous punk singles to come out of California during the initial run of punk bands somehow didn’t make Geza X a household name. Despite the fact that his given name looked odd and all – he was a first generation American born to Hungarian parents – the singer, guitarist and producer was able to wrangle an all star band to back him up on his lone full length.

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It’s pretty much impossible to keep up with the landslide of punk related groups that released a few singles and maybe a full length before calling it a day.

The Tyrades are one of these acts.

Initially based out of Buffalo, New Yawk, the band eventually moved to the big city of Chicago subsequent to becoming the adored weirdoes of mags like Maximum Rock ‘n Roll. But regardless of the move and what made it all occur, the quartet - Jenna Tyrade (vocals), Jimmy Ordinary (guitar), Robert Miscellaneous (bass) and Frankie Jensen (drums) – were able to distill some angsty, jittery and coffee inspired, slurred punk.

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Really, there has to be a plethora of punk bands from various non-English speaking countries that are as good as anything that the States produced. There are a few obstacles in enjoying all of ‘em though.

Belgium might be the most consistent in cranking out groups – the Kids remaining one of the greatest punk bands of all time. But that band was partial to the King’s English. Anyway, holding a listener’s interest arrives two fold. Firstly, a band needs some sort of melodic hook – in punk at least. It might be all too simple and dumbed down for the general public, but it’s gotta be there. Secondly, though, it’s always a bonus when one can sing along. And for the most part, bands stick to its native land’s tongue while performing. The Ex are a notable exception. But that band’s made up of weirdo anarchists and as likely to play funk as sound like a Subhumans’ styled group.

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Reach Out International Records (aka ROIR) released some of the more important discs of the New York punk scene and its affiliates – the label continues to do so. Everyone from James Chance and the Contortions to the Bush Tetras were given life via ROIR cassette tape technology. Today, however, these releases function as authentic documents of a time where music was music and not a specific genre. And while most of that original run of tapes is most likely lost to time or just lost, ROIR has endeavored to reissue a good portion of its discography.

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There aren't better love songs than love songs for dead people...

After taking a listen to the Why Are We Here? compilation and imbibing a Corrosion of Conformity that I’d not previously been familiar with, it behooved me to hunt down the group’s first long player.

Eye for an Eye doesn’t come off as an extension of the tracks represented on that aforementioned No Core released compilation, although there is some overlap – “Indifferent” is included on both. The Black Flag similarities are still there, but in the vocals throughout the disc, listeners should be able to hear some of the metal influence creeping in. Of course, those breakdowns coming left and right should also point to what was to come, but it might all be obscured by Woody Weatherman’s Greg Ginn inspired guitar soloing.

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Goner Records has a pretty decent track record of releasing above boards garage styled punk and some straight rock bangers. That being said, every label has its lesser moments. Luckily for those with a renewed interest in garage stuff, the Memphis based label has gone and released the first long player from Omaha, Nebraska trio the Box Elders.

Comprised of Clayton and Jeremiah McIntyre, as well as drummer Dave Goldberg, the Box Elders unloosed a four song single not too long ago that met with only the most positive reviews. Included on that slab was a Red Kross cover sitting – so unassumingly – alongside its three originals. So while that sloppy effort was as rewarding as it was ramshackle, the Box Elders’ Alice and Friends is just as pleasing even if two of the tracks included here were represented on that single.

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The image depicted on the cover of the Penetrators’ Basement Anthology (1976-1984) is a confusing one at best. A few dudes leaning up against a brick wall – assumedly in the group’s hometown of Syracuse, New York – find themselves amidst some foot traffic. So, one’s left to wonder, who’s in the band?

The guy to the left of frame seems to just be passing through, but what about the jovial looking chap with the hat on, smiling and looking off to the left? The uncertainty that the cover image purports is really indicative of the entire album. In this day of unearthed classics and the like, discs like the Penetrators’ are gonna be snatched up pretty immediately. Of course, if that were to happen to you here, you’d be one sorry record collector.

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The last (available) vid from the show...

More from the Horizontal Action show...