Showing posts with label badass bands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label badass bands. Show all posts

Friday, September 14, 2012

Fall music II.

Since blogspot now allows me to see how many people view each post, I can tell which ones are most popular...apparently the one on 'fall music' a couple weeks ago was well-liked, so I'm doing a second installment since fall is basically upon us...
Wipers - 'Over the Edge'

Most definitely my favorite Wipers release. The first three albums are unquestionably some of the greatest punk music ever released. This'un saw main fella Greg Sage basically cutting all the lows out of his recordings in order to make a creepy, tinny sounding album. Don't go into this thinking it's gonna be some fast three-chord bullshit since I called it 'punk....' it's punk in the way that Mission of Burma is 'punk.'
Type O Negative - 'October Rust'

Some people think this band is laughable, but they're fucking stupid. That's not to say they weren't hilarious when they wanted to be. Although this is a pretty serious album (and one of their most depressing), it was conceived as a 'pop-goth metal' project...basically a 'sell-out' album, according to band members. Whatever the case, 'Love You to Death' is one of the all-time highest points (and most melodic) of the doom metal genre.
Circle of Ouroborus - 'Eleven Fingers'

I put these guys on my Incredibly Strange Metal compilation...this album is on a totally different trip. It's not quite black metal, it's not quite post-punk...it kinda sounds like a post-punk band playing black metal, but not in the boring hipster way...The whole thing is lo-fi in a really odd way that's like being sucked into a rainstorm.
Mission of Burma - 'Vs.'

...speaking of post-punk, this classic is a definite 'fall weather' album. Loud, dissonant, melodic and challenging all at once. These guys had the advantage of being in a proto-punk band (the Ann Arbor-based Sproton Layer) so they'd already figured out what they wanted to do by the time independent rock took off. Still rocking out to this day, and putting out decent music.
Deftones - 'White Pony'

If you don't know much about these guys aside from their affiliation with the 'nu-metal' scene, definitely check this one out. More like an amped-up Cure than Korn, the Deftones are one of the only popular metal groups in recent years that really tried something different. I can't say a bad thing about them...even the new album 'Diamond Eyes' is rockin', and 'Adrenaline' is the best so-called 'rap metal' thing out there.
Butthole Surfers - 'Rembrandt Pussyhorse'

Okay, not ALL of this album is great for fall, but it's definitely the Surfers' most 'post-punk' release, and also one of their more melodic. Tracks like 'Whirling Hall of Knives' are hypnotizing without being boring. Modern day 'noise rock' bands could take a cue from classics like this.
Iron Maiden - 'Killers'

Without a doubt my favorite Iron Maiden release. In fact, I can't stand much of their stuff outside of this and the debut LP. Paul Di'Anno was the shit and Bruce Dickinson can suck it. Maybe I only associate this with fall because of Halloween (like Sabbath) but who cares.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Fall music.

I don't like winter or summer, I pretty much tolerate spring because it's not winter, so the only time of the year I really like is fall. Also, the music that I associate with fall seems to be some of my favorite...to me, that means stuff that's often depressing, but in an 'elegant' and abstract kind of way.

These are the albums I rock pretty hard all season long:
Burzum - 'Filosofem'

Basically the best black metal album of all time, but one that really transcends the genre. The three opening tracks are all it should take to become totally obsessed with black metal like I was. From the lo-fi production to the artful throat-shredding vocals, this album IS a forest losing its leaves.
 The Cure - anything, but specifically 'Faith,' 'Disintegration' and 'Seventeen Seconds.'

There are very few things I don't like about The Cure, but these three albums define autumn to me. Some of their work is only good if I'm in a really bad mood ('Pornography,' 'The Top') and other things I only really play if I'm in a Cure-kinda mood ('Kiss Me x3') but I can listen to these three records all season long.
Funeral - 'Tragedies'

Just look at that goddamn album cover. Slow, long and moody pieces that feature really great (although totally out-of-place) female vocals. Somehow the simple vocal patterns and melodies make these songs feel like they stepped out of the 19th century, even though it's a doom metal album...
Slint - 'Spiderland'

Best listened to at night by yourself. Creepy, abstract, weird, and emotionally muted. I guess these songs are depressing, but it's like a confusing, dream-state depression...cliche I guess, but it's like a David Lynch film. A word that comes to mind is 'secretive.' This is what I would listen to if I was an undercover detective.
Codeine - 'Frigid Stars'

Like 'Spiderland' with everything sucked out of it except the melancholy. This is less artful and more just straight up depressing. Not recommended unless you're feelin' real bad. I always listen to this while driving in the autumn dark with the windows down even if it's cold as fuck.
Echo and the Bunnymen - 'Ocean Rain'

I never got past this album...as soon as I realized none of their other releases really had the full orchestra like this one, I didn't pay too much attention. I'm sure they're good 'n all...just not 'Ocean Rain.' Sure, it's sissy English-guy music, but it's way better than any Oasis or Ride or whatever.
Guided by Voices - 'Bee Thousand'

Okay, this record is pretty good for any season...and I rocked it all summer long, but 'Smothered in Hugs' and 'Tractor Rape Chain' have this vibe that sits best with being way too stoned on a rainy fall morning. Maybe you're too 'grown up' to be in that situation, but I'm not.
Creedence Clearwater Revival - 'Chronicle, Vol. 1'

I also tend to listen to a lot of 'classic' rock in the early days of fall...Creedence is such an earthy, forest-y kinda thing. I always get the feeling these guys wanted to blow up every city and just live in the fuckin' woods. Try listening to their version of 'I Put a Spell on You' and not feel cool.
Black Sabbath - 'Black Sabbath

Maybe it's because of Halloween, but Black Sabbath IS October.
Big Star - '#1 Record'

The ultimate 'back to school' album....it IS 1972 and I AM trying to score a date to the homecoming dance when I hear this record. Usually I listen to side one of this, followed by Chris Bell's solo work. I love Alex Chilton and all he did, but the stuff with Bell has that chilly seasonal vibe...'specially 'Better Save Yourself' and 'I Am the Cosmos.'

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Mr. Bungle - 'Madyson '95'

I know there's gotta be a few Bungle fans that read this blog...For those, like myself, who are still holding out for a reunion, here's a little rarity for ya.

After doing a quick 'site:blogspot.com' search for Mr. Bungle live bootlegs, I realized this one, apparently from the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, WI, is not readily available. This show is interesting because it is about a month after 'Disco Volante' came out. Fans of the band's Warner Brothers debut probably had no idea what to expect with this record (as the world had not yet fully met Patton) and the resulting tour was met with mixed reactions.

Always fans of the weird shit, Bungle does a cover from Joe Meek's album 'I Hear a New World,' and a Meatmen track ('I Sin for a Living.') Barely any songs from the first album show up here (as those were already almost a decade old when the debut came out) but lots of tracks from 'Disco' do, and a bunch more fucky covers.

I got plenty more Bungle bootlegs, so ask away if you like this...
Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Love Dance of the Saroos
3. Carry Stress in the Jaw
4. La Lucertola
5. Travolta
6. Der Zinker
7. After School Special
8. Ei Raat Tomaar Amaar
9. Everyone I Went to High School with is Dead
10. Aqua Swing
11. Phlegmatics
12. Ma Meeshka Mow Skwoz
13. I Sin for a Living
14. (Untitled)
15. Backstrokin'
16. Working for the Weekend
17. (Untitled)
18. Chemical Marriage
19. 24,000 Baci
20. Desert Search for Techno Allah

DOWNLOAD

Saturday, July 7, 2012

More obscuro 'casts...

Like the title says. Apparently I was late by an hour for the one below...oh well.

Episode 21 - 6-6-09

Tracklist:

Nicodemus - The World of Parrot
Virgin Insanity - In the Eyes
Fendermen - Mule Skinner Blues
Konrad - My Girl
Bicycle - Oh Lord I'm Dying
Mark Tucker - Bataszew
Robbie the Werewolf - Vampire Man
Grand Nutz Da Ladies Man - Let's Chill
Shinki Chen - Corpse
Freddie Blassie - Hey Fred
Abner Jay - I'm So Depressed
Sunburned Hand of the Man - Unless You Confess
Dion McGregor - The Diet
Melvin Jackson - Funky Skull Pts. 1-2
Philemon Arthur and the Dung - Lille Pelle
Mr. Bungle - Third Floor Dungeon (Live)
Stone Harbour - Wonderland

Episode 22 - ***Removed by request***

Episode 23 - 6-20-09 BRIAN WILSON'S BIRTHDAY

Tracklist:

Sammy Hall - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Hell (I Got Saved, Saved, Saved)
Stone Harbour - Still Like that Rock N' Roll
AxCx - Saving Ourselves for Marriage
Crispin Hellion Glover - Auto-Manipulator
Silver Apples - A Pox on You
Electric Wizard - Dopethrone
Beach Boys - Shortenin' Bread
Brian Wilson - Vegetables
GG Allin and the Jabbers - Automatic
The Death Killers - Why Do Kids Always Ask those Stupid Questions
Hella - World Series
Beach Boys - Take a Load Off Your Feet
Sebadoh - Pink Moon
The Frogs - I Don't Care if You Disrespect Me, Just so You Love Me
Debris - Flight Taken
Brian Wilson - Metal Beach
Chillum - Fairy Tale
Dave Bixby - Drug Song
Daniel Johnston - The Dead Dog Laughing in the Cloud
Beach Boys - In My Room
Brian and Dennis Wilson - Oh Lord
The Reverend Glen Armstrong - Even Squeaky Fromme Loves Christmas
Beach Boys - Wind Chimes
Paste - Hornet's Nest
Beach Boys - Sail On Sailor
Danny Ben-Israel - Why Not
Brian Wilson - Smart Girls
Earth and Fire - Hazy Paradise
Peter Grudzien - Redemption and Prayer
Beach Boys - Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow (Live)

NOTE: Brian Wilson's 67th birthday...6/20/09...played a lot of lesser-known Beach Boys cuts from the Obscuro! archives. Sometime I'll put together an all-Brian compilation.

Episode 24 - 7-3-09 STONE HARBOUR - 'EMERGES'

Tracklist:

YaHoWa 13 - Fire in the Sky
The Shaggs - It's Halloween
Chrome - Nova Feedback
Cloroform - Public Pervert
Armand Schaubroeck Steals - King of the Streets
The Gaylords - Yakety Yak
Simply Saucer - Nazi Apocalypse
Daniel Johnston - Held the Hand
Terry - Born in a Hole
Virgin Insanity - In the Eyes
Roky Erickson and the Aliens - Bloody Hammer
Y. Bhekhirst - Hot in the Airport
Michael Yonkers Band - My House
Stone Harbour - You'll Be a Star
Stone Harbour - Rock and Roll Puzzle
Stone Harbour - Grains of Sand
Stone Harbour - Summer Magic is Gone
Stone Harbour - Stone's Throw
Stone Harbour - Thanitos
Stone Harbour - Still Like that Rock and Roll
Stone Harbour - Ride
Stone Harbour - Dying to Love You
Stone Harbour - Workin' for the Queen
Philemon Arthur and the Dung - Om ni tycker jag undviker
The Legendary Stardust Cowboy - Who's Knocking at My Door
Rancid Hell Spawn - Notting Hill Carnivore
Randy Holden - Fruit and Iceburgs
Mayo Thompson - Horses
Freddie Blassie - Pencil Necked Geek

NOTE: Despite being a rehash of tunes I've played before, this one was pretty significant...I switched from a Friday night 2 am timeslot to Thursday at midnight. That made a lot of difference as far as listeners go, and I tried to play a 'best of' the first few months for new ears. This was also the first show where I played an album all the way through--something that I did pretty much til the end of the show. This time it was Stone Harbour's lo-fi psych-metal disc 'Emerges.'

Monday, June 25, 2012

Michael Haaga - 'The Plus and Minus Show'

As promised before, here's former Dead Horse frontman Michael Haaga's solo outing. Recorded in 2003, this is A LOT different than the Demonseeds album I put up earlier, and way way way different than the old Dead Horse recordings. Haaga claimed he was listening to a lot of Radiohead and the Shins when he made this album...I hate the shit out of both those groups, though, so obviously this isn't really similar.

To me, it sounds like Haaga was rockin' some Pumpkins and Nirvana...a lot of the tracks have a Pixies/grungey kinda vibe, and his voice is way too hardcore for this to be a 'soft' record. Granted, there are a lot of piano-driven ballads, but I never got the feeling he's 'mellowing out' or some shit. I dunno, just good alt-rock....not as impressive as the Demonseeds stuff, but 'Looking Beyond' 'Four Letter Words' are up there with some of his best compositions. Fuckin' dig it, cuz you won't find it anywhere else. Dunno if he's doing anything now, but he sure as fuck should be.

Michael Haaga - 'The Plus and Minus Show'
Tracklist:


1. Same Old Strings
2. Looking Beyond
3. Mountains Fall Down...
4. If and When
5. Four Letter Words
6. Serious
7. Supernaive
8. Baby
9. Anything is Real
10. Belong
11. End of the Day

DOWNLOAD

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Here's your christmas list...

I get a lot of calls from people wanting to know where I find all this crazy shit. Well, I've gotten about 3 calls regarding that...but...one of the main sources for Obscuro!'s musical selection is a thing called the Nurse With Wound list. Back in the late 70's/early 80's, some dudes decided they wanted to sample a bunch of psychedelic German records and make weird sounds/be creepy. They called themselves Nurse With Wound, and went on to influence everyone from Negativland to Skinny Puppy to Sonic Youth. Personally, I'm not a big fan of their music...but I like their list! Upon releasing their first album, "Chance Meeting on a Dissecting Table," they included with the LP a list of obscure 'outsider' musicians who had either influenced them or who they had sampled. Nothing else; just the performers' names.

Now, with the power of the internet, it's relatively easy to dig up a lot of the albums by these groups, and dig I do indeed. Here's the entire list, for reference:


There you have it. Next week (as in, the edition of the program AFTER this week's) I will be featuring nothing but NWW list artists...so if ya know any you want to hear, drop me a line. Also, don't tune in this week if you don't wanna be bummed out, cuz that's pretty much the theme.

Monday, September 28, 2009

...On a less-Obscuro! related note...



This past weekend, I had the good fortune of seeing one of Sunny Day Real Estate's American reunion shows. Let's just say, if you think this band can do no wrong, but also feel Jeremy Enigk's solo albums are more or less garbage (aside from that awesome first one) and that the Fire Theft wasn't anything all that special, this tour does not disappoint. 

This is the fully original lineup (only present on "Diary" and "LP2"), and unlike that weird live album, Jeremy was yelling his head off and even lost his voice towards the end of the gig. Plus, Dan Hoerner (2nd guitarist who disappeared from music to focus on farming) was very obviously excited to be playing again and could not stop smiling. 

HERE is a really thorough and often humorous interview with Dan and Jeremy discussing the reasons behind the reunion. Also, it should be noted that at the time of this interview (only a week or so before the gig I saw), they hadn't written any new songs. They did, in fact, perform a new tune, which was definitely on par with anything off "Diary" or "LP2."

This was an immensely exciting gig, considering I've loved this band since high school, and they seem wayyyyyy more re-energized than other 'reunion' acts. Loud as hell, too. If you like this group, don't even second guess this reunion tour. Obviously it's not monetarily-motivated (Enigk has a smooth-sailing solo career, Nate is in the Foo Fighters) so any 'reunion record' that may come out of this will be simply for fun. Badass.