It’s been another one of those days. A day with a cavalcade of new and noteworthy music news descending at an impossible velocity. There was official live performance videos from Cloud Nothings (which came with an accompanying tour announcement), Fever the Ghost, and Those Darlins. Following that, official videos from Metronomy (which has the distinction of being directed by Michel Gondry), OFF!, Soak, Tacocat, and Quilt. Additionally, there was new music from Black Lips, The Coathangers, Creative Adult, Denney and the Jets, Ex-Cult, and Woods (which would’ve been the feature today but it’s difficult to shake the feeling that With Light and With Love is going to be picking up a lot of press in the days to come). All adding up to an overload of material before the day even hit its halfway point. In the midst of all that chaos, a song by Brain F≠ (pronounced Brain Flannel, apparently) called “Sicks” managed to stand out.
Brain F≠ sound sort of like Be Your Own PET and OFF! were thrown into a blender while riding an adrenaline high, attempting to beat each other to death. “Sicks” is a manic blast of charged-up punk-leaning hardcore that’s accessible enough to snag a lot of potential interest. That interest will undoubtedly be coming their way following today’s release of Empty Set (via a joint release between Grave Mistake and Sorry State Records), the full-length that “Sicks” is taken from. Importantly, the band seems to have already grasped one of the keys to an early success- and that lies in the fact that no matter how aggressive Brain F≠ gets, they always retain a sense of fun that’s often far too buried (and crucial) to music that operates on the fringes of hardcore. “Sicks” is a genuine moment of excitement from a band worth getting excited over. Hear “Sicks” below and go destroy something useless.
Another week, another Watch This. In this 12th installment, there are full sets, acoustic takes, and studio performances. From the Albini-indebted strains of Into It. Over It. to the irrepressible manic glee of Los Campesinos! there’s plenty of range in this week’s edition. Enough with the introductions, onto the music. Watch it all below.
1. Cumulus – Middle (KEXP)
Cumulus recently stopped by Seattle’s most legendary radio station to deliver a set full of sugary shoegaze pop. “Middle” is all kinds of accessible, offering the clearest signal yet of the extent of shoegaze’s resurgence. A dirtied up bass line and swirling guitar lines wash over an undeniably pop vocal, while the song itself is packed full of hooks. All of the sudden, the future of pop music doesn’t look as bleak as it once did. There’s serious potential for a major crossover here. For now, take a step back and marvel at how effortlessly graceful this performance of “Middle” really is.
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2. Los Campesinos! – Cemetery Gaits/What Death Leaves Behind (Brooklyn Vegan)
Los Campesinos! have been an anomaly for a long while now. Their brand of twee-punk, even as it evolved into something more aggressive and cynical, was always leaning too far twee for the punk kids and too far punk for the twee kids. A few on the outer rings of both circles had trouble accepting them because they were either too accessible or not accessible enough. That unwillingness to commit to the easily classifiable has always made them interesting and the band thrive on it. Their high-energy live performances have always been reliably endearing as well. This BV Studio Session is no exception.
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3. Into It. Over It. – Where Your Nights Often End (Audiotree)
Into It. Over It. are a band that’s becoming similarly hard to pin down. Very frequently grouped into the emo-revival discussion, the band’s resisted embracing and denying that classification in equal measure. Frequently appearing on bills alongside the likes of LVL UP and Ovlov, their live set has also sparked a fair bit of admiration. They’re one of the bands that evokes the Albini studio aesthetic most readily. For proof of this, watch the exquisitely filmed Audiotree video of “Where Your Nights Often End” below, which features Kate from Kittyhawk on backing vocals.
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4. Cassavettes – Full Set
Cassavettes recently played Philadelphia and youtuber Will McAndrew was on hand to shoot the whole thing as it happened at the reliably excellent house venue The Great Indoors. Noisey recently posited that Philly has the best punk scene in the country and fondly extols the virtues of its bands but doesn’t speak much on how supportive that scene is to the bands that pass through. With more and more full sets like this hard-hitter from Boston-based basement punks Cassavettes (think The State Lottery with a little less gruff), it’s hard to argue Noisey on that one.
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5. Hot New Mexicans – Damned Distractions (Pink Couch Sessions)
This week’s Watch This band to know is unique in a certain distinction; it’s no longer a band. That said, Hot New Mexicans are a band that people deserve to be hearing about for a very long time. After a promising debut, the band released a string of classics with their self-titled sophomore effort (a legitimate best-of-decade contender) and a pair of seriously incredible 7″ releases. In a way, the closest band to Hot New Mexicans was the “band to know” from the very first Watch This, PURPLE 7 (they share a pivotal member). In this clip, Patrick Jennings (the aforementioned PURPLE 7 member) plays an acoustic version of Hot New Mexicans standout “Damned Distractions” for IYMI’s Pink Couch Sessions series (who will be featured on Watch This soon). Enjoy- and order/buy Hot New Mexicans material wherever it can be found. It’s a collection necessity.
Continuing with the welcome (and, frankly, much-needed) influx of notable live performances, the 11th installment of Watch This saw a fiercely contended battle for inclusion. There were well over 20 viable selections that could have been placed here, though none were more deserving than the five on display. Ranging from a stunningly raw, almost naked take from a solo artist responsible for one of February’s most anticipated records to a raucous run through of a staple from one of the best bands in existence, this round of Watch This absolutely lives up to the series’ title.
1. Angel Olsen – Enemy (La Blogotheque)
Burn Your Fire for No Witness already seems to be shaping up into one of the first legitimate early contenders for an album of the year end-run while also boasting one of the most graceful album titles in recent memory. La Blogotheque has only elevated the anticipation for the record’s release with this powerful clip of what appears to be the record’s centerpiece. “Enemy” is a delicate and nuanced song to begin with- but all of its best qualities become almost unbearably perfect by virtue of the caring cinematography that mirrors the quiet, tragic tension of the song. This is the kind of soul-baring performance that those who were fortunate enough to be present are likely never going to forget.
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2. Fucked Up – Magic Word (Live at 285 Kent)
285 Kent was never going to be sustainable, that was part of its appeal. Still, it’s tough to lose something like that so shortly after losing Maxwell’s. That said, fond farewells often call for the most memorable parties. To that end, 285 Kent delivered in full. One of the acts to play the venues final show were Canadian hardcore icons Fucked Up. Pitchfork was on hand to capture the band ripping through “Magic Word” from 2008’s polaris-winning The Chemistry of Common Life, one of 2008’s best records. This is another instance of something that’s not likely to be forgotten by the people fortunate enough to have found themselves shoulder-to-shoulder on what many came to consider hallowed ground. For everyone else, there’s always this video to live vicariously through.
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3. Tenement – Rock Eating People (Live at Cactus Club)
Another week, another instance of a video that, given recent events, was always going to be posted in this installment. Simply put, Tenement may very well be the best band on the planet right now. Their recorded output and live shows have consistently ranked among the finest anyone could hope to come across and they’re (impossibly) getting better as they go. That little moment at around 2:12? Chills. Every time. Even if this hadn’t been the covered show last week, the video would’ve been included for both that moment and the insane tambourine freakout that happens shortly after. Seriously, best band. A sincere thanks to Don Giovanni for being on hand to film this.
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4. Night Sun – Baby Baby (Jam in the Van)
Curtis Harding has been hyped beyond belief by Burger Records over the past few months and the series Harding did for Jam in the Van (both with Night Sun and as a solo act) completely justifies their faith. Of the three tracks the session offers up, “Baby Baby” may be the finest. A soul-driven throwback R&B number, everything falls completely into place to create something special. From the pitch-perfect harmonies to the reverb-ed out effects, an entire era of music isn’t so much evoked as it is genuinely resurrected. “Baby Baby” feels both of the time and like a lost relic, proving, as Burger’s been saying all along, Curtis Harding is a name to watch out for.
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5. Grass House – Faun (POPnews and Citazine)
Only half a year ago, this band was rattling the walls of London’s Hoxton Square Pub & Grill as a part of the East End Live festival. Since then, the band released one of the best songs of 2013 and an excellent LP, A Sun Full and Drowning, shortly after. Their showcase set at that festival was a thing of beauty, eccentric and ear-shattering in all the right places. Here, though, the band goes acoustic for an inspired take on “Faun” that finds them winding up with characteristically stunning results. It’s nearly impossible to pin this band down, so, as is sometimes the case, it’s best to just sit back and listen attentively. One of the most intriguing UK acts going right now and definitely one to watch closely.
Four to six hours during the middle of winter, in a vehicle that runs minimum heat and has busted windshield wipers, is a drive that can only be prompted by something worth being incredibly passionate about. Throw in hazardous conditions (outside of general Chicago rush-hour traffic) and it’s enough to give anyone operating in the limits of sanity room for pause- but fuck pause and fuck sanity; Perfect Pussy is not worth missing. While that statement was closer to speculation than not until last nights blown-out set at Schubas Tavern, it now resides firmly in fact.
While the road conditions forced a late arrival that meant, sadly, having to miss both Broken Prayer and Split Feet, Perfect Pussy’s set immediately obliterated any lingering thoughts or feelings on that matter. After a very brief set-up time, vocalist Meredith Graves (battling a nasty spell of laryngitis) introduced Perfect Pussy before the band kicked off their set. What happened next is difficult to summarize in words, as the reactions their set prompted were closer to visceral emotion than coherent thought- but it’s worth an attempt, however unwieldy.
For 15-20 minutes, the crowd at Schubas careened into each other in a fiercely communal experience, driven by their shared love of the music that was happening onstage. Normally, the intensity levels of the band and audience at shows like this interact in a symbiotic manner, with each doing their part while feeding off the other until a climactic fever-pitch is hit (and, hopefully, sustained). This is where Perfect Pussy stands out. They subvert the notion of a symbiotic relationship by projecting their energy onto the audience instantaneously and the audience responds in kind. There’s no build-up, no long-con, just pure immediacy.
During their set, which at times bordered on noise so thorough that instruments became indistinguishable, the Schubas audience got most involved during “I”and “IV” from I have lost all desire for feeling. Despite the unavoidable fact that audiences tend to be more responsive to material they know, it was the newer material that stood out strongest. From an incendiary performance of “Driver” to a few more choices off of their upcoming record, Say Yes to Love, it was abundantly clear that the band really believes in the new material. That dedication and commitment manifests itself in every conceivable facet of their art, live performance included.
After a whirlwind set that saw no shortage of boundless energy and focused determination, it ended as suddenly as it began. There was nothing as glamorous (or contrived) as an encore because at some point, there’s virtually nothing left to say. Perfect Pussy hit that point a few times throughout the short amount of time they were onstage and looked completely spent after. Everything had been laid out and picked bare. If there was an audience member that didn’t know who the band was before they came in, they definitely knew by the time their set was reduced to nothing but a warm hum of controlled feedback. When a band can find the perfect resting point between an immediate and lasting impression, they’re worth paying very close attention to. When they can do it so frequently on so many levels? …let’s just say this wasn’t the first and definitely won’t be the last post on this site about this particular band.
Keep an eye on Perfect Pussy’s tour dates and see them as soon as possible, even if it means crossing state lines while driving with dangerously low levels of visibility. It’s worth it. A life without risk can frequently lend itself to a life without reward. Take risks; get rewarded; go see Perfect Pussy.
As hyper-aware readers may have noticed, there hasn’t been much in the way of worthwhile live performance videos to post over this past two week stretch. This is often an inevitability during the new year midwinter dead zone. Fortunately, this allows both time and space to reflect on the things that may have been missed throughout or before this site’s existence. One of those is the dearly-missed BNTYK (short for Be Nice to Your Kids), which seemed to stand for everything Heartbreaking Bravery does. While BNTYK only lasted for a frustratingly brief amount of time, while they were around they offered up the most professional high-quality presentations of live performances from a murderer’s row of great basement bands. Below, you’ll find five of their absolute best. Enjoy.
1. Swearin’ – Here to Hear
Swearin’ are often at their fieriest when Kyle Gilbride’s allowed to take the control. When he’s offered the opportunity it’s very rare that Gilbride doesn’t just fucking go off. “Here to Hear” is easily one of the most impassioned songs in the bands repertoire and the way they feed off each other here is so infectiously joyous that it’s hard to just watch once. Swearin’ still holds up as one of the best LP’s this young decade’s produced so far and this video will always serve as an admirable document of a band exerting their energy because they believe in the thrill of it. It’s raw, visceral, and genuinely beautiful.
2. Bad Sports – Terrible Place
There aren’t many bands that can boast a discography as strong as Bad Sports. For an early run, they’ve already produced a few records that could find themselves categorized as basement pop classics. “Terrible Place” is a very strong indication of this and their committed performance here nicely underscores how hard this band worked to make that happen. Sweat pours down faces, heads are kept down, and there’s a general air of defiant determination. Here’s hoping this band sticks around for a long time to come.
3. VIDEO – Nothing Lasts Forever
The blood-caked upper teeth, the restlessness, the pure exhilaration of airing out unbridled frustration. VIDEO play up their classic hardcore influences to the absolute maximum capacity and wind up stronger for it. “Nothing Lasts Forever” is an appropriately short, sharp, and pointed blast of music. To write any more words on the matter would only do it a disservice by opposing what it stands for. Watch it below.
4. Teenage Cool Kids – Uncast Shadow of a Southern Myth
Teenage Cool Kids are one of the more singular acts playing the circuit right now and have done everything in their power to make their presence known. Notoriety wasn’t a difficult task for them; songwriting this absurdly good is bound to attract a fair share of followers. They became a band many turned to in the wake of The Goodnight Loving’s tragic dissolution as the two bands share(d) some similar aesthetics. Here, with “Uncast Shadow of A Southern Myth” the band demonstrates all of their understated strength for all of its worth.
5. Waxahathcee – Michel
Book-ending this list with the pairing of the Crutchfield twins feels appropriate for a myriad of reasons. There’s perhaps no pair of people on the planet that so fully embodies what Heartbreaking Bravery believes in (and the same was likely true for BNTYK as well), aptly illustrating the lengths and emphasis of musical influence. “Michel” is a slight aberration in the BNTYK series as its primarily shot in darkness and, naturally, features only Katie Crutchfield and her taped-up acoustic guitar. It’s a characteristically stunning moment from one of this generations clearest voices. Watch it and reminisce of better times- times when the world had BNTYK in it.
While the last installment of On the Up covered Tenementat great length, it failed to go into a band that’s practically connected at the hip to that trio; Technicolor Teeth. Amos Pitsch, Tenement’s de facto bandleader, drums for it’s loud-as-fuck shoegaze counterpart (in addition to several other bands), which also happens to feature members that have played a fairly big role in Tenement’s already-impressive career. Bassist/vocalist Matt Stranger and guitarist Zacc Baehman (who’d previously played with Pitsch in the short-lived but dearly-missed Harlequin Kid).
Pitsch was a late addition to the band, though, as the drummer’s throne was originally filled by Colin Wilde (his is the face that graces the Teenage Pagans cover), who’s now pursuing music under his own terms under the moniker Black Thumb. It didn’t take long for anyone to realize the band’s potential, especially considering the strength of the first song they wrote together as a band was impressive enough to rank it as one of the best of the last few years.
That song, “Station Wagon”, wound up being one of the many highlights of their full-length debut, Teenage Pagans, which incited a small label war that saw that record being released on multiple formats in various years and labels after the band originally put it up (and had a label subsequently remove it following an official release) on their bandcamp. Since then, Teenage Pagans has found its way back to free streaming, the band’s toured as hard as possible (especially taking Tenement’s increasing popularity into account), they’ve released a reputation-boosting 7″ on Accidental Guest Recordings and contributed a song to that label’s wonderful Beyond Inversion compilation.
That much activity is causing a lot of people to take notice of this still-young band at an alarming rate. How this will end up playing foil to Tenement when one of them inevitably breaks through is anyone’s best guess. For now, it’s probably best to just enjoy the fact that both bands are cropping up on more than a few peoples radars. They’ve both got distinct sounds and are far more well-versed in their respective genres than most bands can claim to be. Technicolor Teeth more than deserves to be in the same conversation as its brethren and that should say more than enough.
Watch the band take a run through “Station Wagon” in an Appleton, WI basement at a semi-secret early show with Big Eyes (video courtesy of Heartbreaking Bravery) below.
Traditionally, the first week or so of a new year is one of the slowest (if not the absolute slowest) for notable music items. Fortunately for everyone, there are some places that cease to stop producing incredible content and just barrel on forward. Which is why the main section in this week’s edition of Watch This only features full sets from one of the most incomparable institutions in music; KEXP. Year after year the Seattle radio station has been providing the most incredible live sessions (audio and video) this side of NPR. The past week or so has been no exception and served as a strong reminder of what makes 90.3 so important. Enjoy.
1. Wimps
Wimps, a local Seattle band, raised one hell of a racket last year and found themselves in more than one basement punk enthusiasts top 10 list. They’re an intriguing proposition that immediately seem just a little off as they deviate from the norm in both sound and appearance- which, frankly, is exactly what most scenes need more of. Their session here is light and inspired, offering up an early indicator of something special.
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2. Crystal Antlers
There are very few bands as immediately attention-catching as Crystal Antlers, who push all the write buttons via their genre melting pot sound. Tints of shoegaze, post-punk, powerpop, no-wave, and ambient characterize their best releases and the band’s a force to be reckoned with live. None of this changes for their KEXP session, which only furthers the chances of the station having secured what may be likely to be one of the year’s best sessions in its first week.
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3. Pétur Ben
Like Crystal Antlers, Pétur Ben is a beyond-appealing mix of influences, recalling everyone from David Bowie at his most relaxed to Joy Division at their most spry to The Smiths in full-on smoldering mode and Dinosaur Jr at their most restrained. Hailing from Iceland, both Ben and the group he’s assembled behind himself are already one of the year’s great surprises. Everything on display here clicks effortlessly and comes off seeming like something that would’ve been considered classic today had it been released 30 years ago and has a shot at being considered classic to those in the know 30 years from now.
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4. Wampire
Apart from Gap Dream, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the Burger Records aesthetic embraced as fully as Wampire have managed. Their psychedelic garage pop comes in the technicolor variety, complete with oddly-shaped brightly-colored sunglasses. Wampire’s sound also manages to exist in one of the smaller paradox that makes Burger such an interesting label; it’s undoubtedly relaxed but there’s a sincere sense of urgency coursing through each respective song’s veins. All of this would just be a footnote if the band’s music weren’t so absurdly good- and it is absurdly good- for proof just watch the session below.
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5. Gravys Drop – I Get Down (Music Video)
Gumball was one of 2013’s most overlooked releases and brimmed with an enthused confidence that made the record all the more enjoyable. One of Burger Records’ artistic triumphs, the label recently released a music video for the fun-loving band that accurately captures the sort of no-stakes ethics at work in bands like this. It’s a refreshing reminder that there are still bands (and labels) out there that know they’re allowed to relax and enjoy themselves. One of the best summer records anyone could hope for. Listen to it in full here and keep an eye out for more from Gravys Drop in the future.
As is the case with any year, there were plenty of opportunities to grab a few photographs at memorable shows. While none of these are in Pro HD quality, it’s an accurate reflection of some of the Midwest’s best shows and venues from 2013. A few of them were short-lived, a few more were well-established, and a few more skewed closer to hidden treasures. It’s not much but it does serve a purpose; as a document of our times and a celebration of the great music happening in them.
Another year comes to a close and offers up a luxury; a chance to go back for looks at videos this site never got to cover because it came into existence far too late. In this week’s addition of Watch This, all of the videos featured are standout takes from earlier on in the year that deserved a spotlight they weren’t able to receive the first time around. So, take a break between football games this Sunday and give these a watch; they’re all worth it. Regularly-scheduled time-sensitive posts will resume on Watch This next Sunday. Until then, enjoy some of the best live videos that 2013’s first stretch had to offer.
1. Savages – Husbands (KEXP Session)
Savages landed in the US with a considerable amount of fanfare, a lot of which can be attributed to stunning live performances like this take on Silence Yourself standout “Husbands” for KEXP. The decision to release the clip in black-and-white only furthered the band’s sense of mystery (and aggression). There may not have been a better KEXP session all year.
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2. The Frankl Project – Dissatisfaction at its Finest (Blue Recipe Radio Session)
One of the year’s most pleasant surprises came from a small Cincinatti power trio that were once considered to be more ska than anything else. The Frankl Project’s Standards is a testament to DIY ethics and self-reliance. Additionally, it happens to be one of the better records of 2013 and possibly the best the pop-punk genre had to offer. This Blue Recipe Radio Session included two other standouts (“My Hands” and “Alive on the Road”), so be sure to give all three a watch- it’s passionate, exhilarating material.
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3. Amanda Shires – Bulletproof (Rhythm N’ Blooms)
A wildcard among this deck, Amanda Shires’ “Bulletproof” earns its spot on the strength of the second verse alone. What starts off as an ostensibly twee tune about a good-luck charm suddenly turns dark and examines humanities darkest tendencies; a desire for exploitation, violence, and empowerment. When Shires (now officially Amanda Isbell) hits the line “bring out the switchblades”, after a brief pause, it’s delivered with such a frightening amount of verve that it’s hard not to be completely taken. Definitely a talent to watch.
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4. Mozes and the Firstborn – Time’s A Headache (Live at Biscuit Studios)
There may not have been a better live video that Heartbreaking Bravery encountered all year. It’s not much more than the band playing a standout cut from their self-titled debut effort in a basement but holy hell, do they ever play that song. The young Antwerp hell-raisers lay into “Time’s A Headache” with everything they’ve got to the delight of the crowd gathered around them in the basement where this was shot. There were a myriad of discoveries to make in 2013 but Mozes and the Firstborn (and this video) were among the very best of the “hidden gems” category.
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5. Midnight Reruns – Grand Slam / Basement Guy (TCD’s Take One Session)
This marks the third time Midnight Reruns have appeared on a Watch This and it’s very unlikely it’ll be the last. This band simply isn’t getting the recognition it deserves and anything this site can do to further their exposure, it will do. ThirdCoastDigest started a video series earlier on this year called Take One where local area WI bands play an acoustic version of a song or two for their cameras; despite outstanding efforts from the likes of Midwestern Charm and Vic & Gab, the most intoxicating session belong to Milwaukee’s Midnight Reruns. “Basement Guy” and “Grand Slam” both take on noticeably different forms from their LP versions and are just as strong, if not stronger, for it. Get a jump on the inevitable and stop sleeping on these guys- they’re a band worthy talking about as early as possible.
Heartbreaking Bravery 