Madison, WI duo The Hussy are a band that instantly became a fixture in the local scene shortly after their conception nearly five years ago. In that time Bobby Hussy and Heather Sawyer have worked tirelessly to refine their sound, cultivating it into a finessed attack that hits all the sweet spots. Countless singles and three full-lengths later, they’ve become one of the state’s most celebrated acts, both live and recorded.
They’re a band that truly deserves a break, yet they’ve only been quickening their manic pace. After last year’s towering Pagan Hiss (easily their finest recording and one of the year’s best efforts), they’ve already announced plans for a few 2014 releases, with a 4th LP more likely than not (even with the LP release of Bobby’s other band, Fire Retarded). One of those smaller releases is a 7″ on Windiam Records, who just made “EZ/PZ, a song from that 7”, available for streaming on their soundcloud. “EZ/PZ” itself is a short, no-frills blast that the duo recorded on a Tascam 388 and it proves that the band hasn’t lost a step.
There will be a lot of bands mentioned on this site in addition to the fair few that have already secured coverage. Of all of those bands, however, no band is likely to come up more times than Tenement. Having first encountered the band nearly six years ago, it’s been nothing short of an honor to watch them grow in both form and recognition. Now, on the verge of releasing an early recordings compilation via Grave Mistake and a record of brand new songs on their new home, Don Giovanni Records, they’re primed for a serious breakthrough. CMJ has already posited them as one 2014’s breakout acts, which follows a similar claim made by NME at the start of 2013.
Everything this band has released, even their earliest 7″ recordings, has been nothing short of outstanding. They made their biggest impression around the end of 2011 with their knockout 1-2 LP combination of Napalm Dream and Blind Wink. A lot of people took notice, several of them had both records (along with the Taking Everything EP) as selections for their respective year-end lists. Since that whirlwind of material, Tenement’s toured hard and let themselves continue on the weirdo punk path that Blind Wink strongly hinted at (their recent Sick Club 7″ being the best example of this).
Having run a very successful house venue kept the band very well-connected in their formative years and, unsurprisingly, their distinct sound earned the unfailing admiration of most of those connections. One of the most important may have been Screaming Females, who they recently put out a very well-publicized split with. Everything has been adding up in a continuously-expanding momentum build, with a trajectory that’s set to skyrocket. No band right now can match Tenement for some of punk’s most defining (and honorable) aesthetics; humility, frustration, respect, a heavy DIY emphasis, camaraderie, literacy, and inventiveness. Additionally, they’re consistently one of the best live bands playing their respective (or any, for that matter) circuit.
From one song to the next, it’s impossible to predict where Tenement will take their sound- but it’s guaranteed to be worthy of investment. Go to their bandcamp and take a stroll through their deeply impressive discography so far. Keep both eyes peeled for their upcoming releases and watch a few videos spanning Tenement’s career (all courtesy of Heartbreaking Bravery) below.
Milwaukee’s Midnight Reruns are set to unveil their debut LP next week and it’s likely to be one of the year’s best. Don’t let that serve as a distraction from Rerun’s frontman Graham Hunt’s other project, the equally attention-deserving hardcore act Midwives. After releasing a self-titled five song EP digitally through Bandcamp only a little over a month ago, Direct Current records will be pressing 7″ copies as their very first release. It’s one hell of a first release for both parties, occupying a space that falls somewhere between OFF! and Pissed Jeans.
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Hunt’s vicious guitar work here is matched in intensity by his bandmates’ respective performances. Blood is shed. The whole thing’s over in seven exhilarating minutes. With each track coming in at an average of only slightly over a minute, there’s no time to breathe. Midwives manage to execute on each of these tracks, going 5-for-5 on their first outing.
Midwives’ unfiltered frustration may be their most defining characteristic, coming to a head in “Twinkie” at the EP’s midway point amid repeated cries of “I can’t take this.” Their most valuable asset, however, surfaces in the inventive final minute of “Debonair”, which finds the band slowing down and descending into a gently chaotic pattern that’s somewhat reminiscent of the expansive instrumental pieces on Fucked Up’s The Chemistry of Common Life. “Debonair” giving way to new stylistic elements as the EP bows out suggests new and exciting possibilities for Midwives’ sound, which sets them up nicely and elevates anticipation for what they’ll manage with any follow-up’s.
From the pummeling “White Whine” through to those final quietly unnerving moments, there’s never a dull section. Midwives’ introduction piece should be an equally strong start to Direct Current’s operations. Both the band and the label seem well worth keeping tabs on. Add this to Perfect Pussy’s I have lost all desire for feeling, Pharmakon’s Abandon, and LVL Up’s Extra Worldsas one of the year’s best EP’s. Keep an eye out for the physical release and stream it below.
Heartbreaking Bravery 