Cleaners From Venus - (2012) Under Wartime Conditions CS

Under Wartime Conditions followed in 1984, simply subtitled as "a collection of pop songs." Newell hadn’t suddenly gone pro by any means-- there were faint degrees of progression in the slightly clearer arrangements and more complicated instrumental passages. If anything, it proved his most enjoyably rollicking record yet, evidenced by the the drum-heavy boogie of “Hand of Stone” and the frenetic instrumental “Fracas on West Street”, a jam where the Cleaners bordered on shredding. If there was more depth and variety to the muffled beats on the opening “Summer in a Small Town”-- as close as the Cleaners got to funk-- the introductory chatter, barbed expressions of contentment, and roughly textured vocals would definitely trace Newell’s increasingly parallel path towards that of future collaborator Andy Partridge of XTC. Meanwhile a tip of the hat to a mutual inspiration (also noting the perils of fandom) with “Song for Syd Barrett” once again showed Newell's propensity for lyrics that intially read as bucolic and pastoral, but revealed themselves to be questioning and uneasy.

Hygiene - (2009) Town Centre 7''

Second single from Britain's most interesting current musical practicioners of the DIY/Messthetics ethos. "Town Centre" offers up a depressing black-and-white depiction of life in the UK after the pubs close and the pissed-up turn to the streets. Likeably dour and monotonous with a slight hint of danger. "MRSA" gets a little Burma-esque, a bit upbeat and dabbling in some noisier guitar turns. I think this song might be about having a skin condition. Even more likeable! "Dissertation" is the outright punkest cut, in a disjointed Swell Maps stumbling-rhythm fashion. Pasty post-punk excitement that I want a whole lot more of. I think we're ready for an LP now. On a side note, Static Shock has singles coming from No Talk and Deaf Mutations, which is certainly great news. Scum stats: 320 copy first press which has apparently already sold out. Repress in the works. Two sleeve variants, as there were some "issues" with the first run of sleeves, not sure how many made it into circulation for all you wackos. Nice folded pocket sleeve, which sort of makes for a mini-gatefold for extra UK DIY feel.

Hygiene - (2010) Recruitment 7''

Following on from the acclaimed (and ridiculously limited) TV Girl EP, London's Hygiene return with 3 more tracks. From the monotony of completing papers, to the violence of the town centre after pubs kicking out, this 7? paints a picture of London life to the sounds of what could be an undiscovered Messthetics comp track in the making, while still unmistakably 100% punk.

Hygiene - (2010) Things That Dreams Are Made Of 7''

England's premier and genuinely Messthetics-y punks pull an incredible cover out of their ass for their third offering, completing the trifecta of releases on Great 2000s British Labels. "Things That Dreams are Made Of" is a cover tune from The Human League's album 'Dare', and the results are uniquely stomping and alluring, with a great obtrusive bass tone and the wonderfully distracted guitars fully supporting the simultaneously vapid and engrossing lyrics. The reverse explores the same waters as the second 7", murky and thoughtful and messy and lovely, further cultivating this odd, moody dream of a niche they have jigsawed out for themselves. An excellent effort, though their finest hour to me must still be "...and Where's My Jetpack?!". Paco has made just 398 hand-stamped copies, please obtain by any means necessary. England belongs to thee.

Croatian Amor - (2013) The World LP

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Gersemi - (2016) Giglio Di Mare CS

Janushoved No. 34

Streams A & B 

Internazionale - (2016) Wreaths Of Life 2xCS

Janushoved No. 36

Streams A, B, C & D

Rosen & Spyddet - (2016) Drengen Ved Brystet CS

Janushoved No. 35

Streams A & B

VA - (2015) Lumpy Mixtape #2 CS

Lumpy Records compilation cassette

Streams A1, A2, B1, B2

Fried Egg - (2015) The Incredible Flexible Egg Flexi 7''

Debut three track disc from FRIED EGG, the latest and greatest hardcore punk offering from Central Virginia. This is a total punk smasher, with a sound rooted in golden era HC punk filtered through modern depression and alienation, executed in just a few minutes. The four brainfried individuals behind FRIED EGG have also done duty in CRETINS and ANIMAL PLANET so the playing here is no slouch -- tight, fast, and to-the-point. The composition of the these tracks shows a bit more depth as well, with screaming guitar leads and fuzzed, walking bass lines jumping out at you, reminiscent of recent groups like Brown Sugar and Wiccans. Have a taste of the EGG and see for yourself. Second pressing of 250 copies with artwork by Lumpy.

Stream A

The Muff Divers - (2015) No Muff Too Tuff 7''

Beefy drum-machine-fueled punk with hooks, could it be the new Coneheads? The new Dickies? The new Jay Reatard? WE SHALL SEE!

Streams A & B

The Pink Noise - (2009) Gold Light 7''

"Canadian 2-piece The Pink Noise return for their second release on Sacred Bones. Last year's Dream Code LP ended up topping most peoples best of 2008 lists. Electronic and organic drumming with keys with staccato punk guitar blasts--think the Residents played through a Big Muff. A double sider of deranged bedroom punk that shames the dozens of one-man-bands hunched over a Tascam trying to make a cheap knockoff of the original. The record sounds like it was mastered through a boombox onto a thrift store cassette. The Jerkwave cassette release, the previous 7-inch single, and their track on World?s Lousy (both on Almost Ready Records) are all long gone."

The Rita - (2015) Bunions Greek Plantar CS

An edition of 100 cassettes, comes with an embroidered patch.

 

Trust - (2011) Candy Walls 7''

Born out of desperation in the brutal Canadian winter of 2009, Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski began writing songs about nostalgia, lust, and erotomania. TRUST combine dark synth arpeggios, live and programmed drum beats with haunting, effected vocals. What begins in the genre of minimal synth progresses into a sort of slow-techno that is equal parts introspective cold-wave and extroverted 808 dance beats. Their debut video directed by Eva Michon, shows a playful side to the duo as they ride around nature on a motorbike together, later though, it hints at the pair’s darker undercurrent when an Equus inspired incident unfolds. “Candy Walls” is a gorgeous and unapologetically sexual debut, which will be heavily blogged about. It’s an undeniable beat matched with a stunning and unique aesthetic.

Nobunny - (2013) Secret Songs Reflections From The Ear Mirror LP

Secret Songs: Reflections from the Ear Mirror, Nobunny’s new LP on Goner Records, proves the Bay Area garage rocker’s absurd appropriation of rock ’n’ roll knows no bounds. In true Nobunny style, the album is a mixture of styles and fidelities, like having a garbage bin of awesomeness dumped on your head, the slime at the bottom rushing into your earholes and staining your brain.  “Lurid and anarchic, Nobunny’s sound is a primitive animal thump informed by the conventions of early rock, classic ’70s punk and New Wave. It’s Chuck Berry with a devilock, Hasil Adkins crammed into Lux Interior’s PVC pants…. A punk rock Elvis impersonator doesn’t invite easy comparisons, but Nobunny’s chaotic live show evokes the costumed mania of Seattle’s the Spits, Black Lips, and the King Khan and BBQ Show… a catalyst for wild pandemonium, awash in sweat, musk, spit, and beer.” 

Streams A & B

Geheimnis - (2005) Das Negras Montanhas CS

Black Metal CS