Ben Tan (1990-2026)

We lost someone incredibly near and dear to the KLYAM fam this past week. RIP to our beautiful Ben Tan. Without you Kids Like You & Me wouldn’t exist and that’s a massive understatement.

Our memorial (originally a benefit) show at Midway was outstanding! Packed, sold out, lines out the door even an hour before door time! It was insane. Unlike anything I have ever experienced before.

The final Johnnie and the Foodmasters show.

I’ll have more to say (Ben is saying right now – “You would like that very much, wouldn’t you?!”) soon, but for now listen to Ben’s solo album Inside Out from 2013. https://bentan.bandcamp.com/album/inside-out-2021-remaster

FUCK CANCER

Peace and love to Ben, the Tan family, the world, and you dear reader. See you soon. – Chris

Flyer by Kathy Snax!

Ben Tan is someone who is extremely near and dear to KLYAM. In fact, it was his idea for us to name it Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) in reference to lyrics from the song “Bad Kids” by our favorite band Black Lips. I can’t imagine what we would have dreamt up for a name! Ben has been one of our best friends since we were lads. He has been fighting cancer hard and we hope to raise some dough to at least help with the expenses and support him and the fam during these difficult times. Ben has always been there for others and is a pillar of the music community. Now it’s time to show him some love!

Doors at 3:00pm

Show at 3:30pm

ALL AGES

$15 cover

**cash only venue**

Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1635915637326134

Johnnie and the Foodmasters
https://johnnieandthefoodmasters.bandcamp.com/


Noah Britton
https://noahbritton.bandcamp.com/


Sound Machine Dream
https://m.soundcloud.com/thepetpsychics

Delons
https://delons.bandcamp.com/album/call-sign

March:

1. Carbonas – Your Moral Superiors: Singles and Rarities (2018)
2. The Coathangers – The Coathangers (2007)
3. Asian Women on the Telephone – So Wot (2018)
4. Lithophones – Demos (2026)
5. Sexaphone – Lost Connections: 2004-2025 (2026)
6. Times New Viking – Dig Yourself (2005)
7. Fang – Land Shark! (1983)
8. The Showcase Showdown – Permanent Stains (1999)
9. The Showcase Showdown – All the Presidents’ Heads (1994)
10. The Showcase Showdown/The Twerps Split 8 Inch (1997)
11. Puke Pisstols – Street Demos (2026)
12.  Miles Davis – Bitches Brew (1970)
13.  Al Green – Let’s Stay Together (1972)
14.  Itches – Itches (2020)
15.  Men + Volts – Cape Cod Sessions (1985)
16.  GG Allin and The Criminal Quartet – Carnival of Excess (1995)
17.  Rites of Spring – Rites of Spring (1985)
18.  Tales of Terror – S/T (1984)
19.  Marine Girls – Beach Party (1981)
20.  The Wrecks – Teenage Jive Demo (1982)
21.  Liquids – “January 2026” (Lots of Songs/Covers) (2026)
22.  The Clash – Polydor Demos (1976)
23.  Birth Rejects – Demo (2026)
24.  Public Error – Internet Blues (2026)
25.  The Misfits – Many Tapes Vol. 1 (1977/Released 2025)
26.  Panty Raid – Erotic Drama Demo Tape (1999)
27.  Institute – S/T 7” (2026)
28.  Foams – Gay Boys EP (1981)
29.  Bad Times – Chicago, IL – May 21, 2005 at The Empty Bottle (2005)
30.  No Justice – Still Fighting 7” (1999)
31.  U.A.V. – Self-Titled Tape (2026)
32.  Janitor Scum – S/T (2016)
33.  Yankee Bastard – Seongun EP (2026)
34.  DMZ – The Lost Studio Sessions (1978 recorded, 2026 released)
35.  Sick Shooters – Super Sonic Rock Saga (2026)
36.  Bikini Mutants – Let’s Mutate (1982 recorded, 2026 released)
37.  G.B.H. – UK Punk Demos (1980)
38.  Twerp – Digital Distorsion EP (2026)
39.  Peter Grudzien – Doing My Time/Gospel Time (1992)
40. The Mentally Ill – Can-NiBal (1982)

March flew by! Already digging into some new tunes for April. But before we get there, above is what I listened to in March. A couple Boston heavy hitter Garage Punk demos from new/oldcummers Lithophones and Puke Pisstols. I caught The Showcase Showdown opening for Dropkick Murphys. Their first show since 2000 and my first time seeing them! Hey, I’m not a fucking dinosaur and I guess I wasn’t a hip child. Sue me. They were great! I had already heard one of their albums before and some of their EPs/45s, but I listened to the others in preparation for the show. Catchy songs that you can hear once and remember forever. Haven’t felt that way about a band since our darling Fat Creeps many moons ago. I have caught Showcase members Tom and Victoria in more recent years in their sick goth band Gossip Collar. Boston legends. Speaking of Boston legends – yes a GG Allin acoustic album was one of my faves this month (sue me again!) but no, I wanted to discuss a new release from a different group of Boston legends. DMZ. I have been a fan of their stuff and it’s pure Rock and Roll/Classic 70s Punk/Garage Rock. So much fun! The holy Crypt Records released a lost studio session from 78 with different takes of DMZ classics fans should recognize. Until next time. Gritty and Nervous Guys are hitting the road; maybe I’ll have some stories! Cheers! – Chris

February:

1. Pain Teens – Destroy Me Lover (1993)
2. Dope Yeti – Junkie Sunbeam (2022)
3. $2 Romance – Wicked Lobster (2023)
4. Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come (1959)
5. V/A – He’s Bad! 11 Bands Decimate The Beats of Bo Diddley (2021)
6. Bo Diddley – Have Guitar Will Travel (1960)
7. Nicole Kidman – Nicole Kidman (2009)
8. Jeff Unfortunately – Sitcom Songs (2025)
9. The Car Thieves – Everybody’s Going Ape! 7” (1993)
10.  Only God Forgives – Extra Strength (2025)
11.  Jaguar 777 – Jaguar 777 (2026)
12.  W-9 (demo) (2026)
13.  Itchy and the Nits – Greetings From… (2026)
14.  Adam Green – Chop Off Heads with Me (2026)
15.  Rotten Apples – “as is” (2011)
16.  Virgin Mega Whore – The Doorknob of San Diego EP (2005)
17.  Sex Cult – Plain Jane 7” (2012)
18.  Snare & The Idiots – Recycled Garbage EP (1985)
19.  Riff Randells – S/T 7” (2000)
20.  Clorox Girls – Baby 7” (2003)
21.  Junior Varsity – Pep Rally Rock! 7” (1997)
22.  The Brentwoods – You Broke My Heart (I Broke Your Jaw) 7” (1995)
23.  The Pagans – Six and Change 7” (1977)
24.  Jeanie & The Tits – Slut Fame 7” (2007)
25.  Wristwatch – III (2026)
26.  The Cramps – Stay Sick (1989)
27.  Gavin Caine – Is Lemons (2025)
28.  Straight Arrows – Middleman/Do the Sloth 7” (2026)
29.  Wicked Witch – Unreleased LP (1978)
30.  BZDET – Dwa Wymiary (2026)
31.  DBR – “Unbearable” (2026)
32.  Various ‎– Anxious Color: 60’s Garage Rock Psychedelic Moody Bands RARE Music Compilation ALBUM LP (2014)
33.  ZULO – El Álbum Blanco (2026)
34.  Nitwitz – First 7” EP (1980)
35.  Billie Holiday – Great Women of Song (2023)
36.  Tiny Tim – God Bless Tiny Tim (1968)

Dayemmm, I know February is the shortest month, but that flew by! I don’t like to speed up time, I like to linger, but fuck, get me out of this snow. At least the tunes have kept me warm. I like to think of myself as a head, but then sometimes I don’t. I’m not one of those see/saw kids or whatever the fuck, I can’t keep up with y’all! I want to focus more on quality over quantity. I started something new this month. I’m putting my favorites in bold. My favorite contemporary release was the impressive debut/demo from New Orleans’ W-9! A lot of punk can get stale and boring sometimes, but this one whipped my ass and it did before I even finished my beer! It’s a fun racket. Noisy and dirty, but I can hear everything smoothly. They just had their first show and it looked splendid. I’d love to see them live! Here’s their bandcamp: https://w-9music.bandcamp.com/album/w-9-demo

You’ll notice a series of older releases in bold as well. I found all of those on Sean Lynch’s You Tube channel. Amazing! So much good shit! Lots of weirdo Punk (block your ears if you’re squeamish and uptight), Power Pop, Old School Hardcore, and more! And I barely scratched the surface! Peep it here. https://www.youtube.com/@TelevisionTrash

Well, this was fun, but onto March. Seeing The Spits and Snooper (among others!) in NYC and Boston next week. Pumped! Peace. – Chris

January:

1. Formaldehyde Junkies ‎– …Are A Total Wreck EP (2005)
2. Subjects – Self-Titled Tape (2025)
3. Happy Farm – Demo (2025)
4. Hot Chicks – Reloaded (2025)
5. Science Man – Monarch Joy – Part 3 – or The Laughing Hour (2025)
6. Wasted Pido – Same Shit Eveywhere (2025)
7. Puke Pisstols – The Lost Recordings (2026)
8. Thee Amazing Andy California – Stomp EP (2026, older recordings)
9. Beatniks – Beatniks EP (2016)
10.  Bobbyteens – I Wanna Go 7” (1998)
11.  Supreme Dicks – The Unexamined Life (1993)
12.  Phil & The Spectras -Every Night 7” (2026)
13.  Hurts & Noises #19 Johnny Sick Mixtape (2025)
14.  Sick Thoughts – Goner LP Demos (2019)
15.  Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments – Bait and Switch (1995)
16.  Teengenerate – Audio Recording (1993)
17.  Teengenerate – Savage!!! (1996)
18.  Mala Vista – Snub Nose .38 7” EP (2025)
19.  Beer – Beer III EP (2025)
20.  Pisaur – SZKODLIWY NIZ ZNAD POLSKI 7” (2025)
21.  Ultimatum – Demo (2025)
22.  Flippeur – Elastique (2025)
23.  Tee Vee Repairman – Goner and Total Punk 7” (2025)
24.  D.I.V.A. and Jacket Burner – Split (2025)
25.  Big Hog + Resource Network Split (2025)
26.  Rearranged Face – Rear Ranged Face EP (2025)

Unfortunately, my list didn’t save in Microsoft Word, so I am probably missing some stuff here! I was able to list off the above based on my queues.

Boston’s Puke Pisstols’ debut “The Lost Recordings” is the best thing I heard this month! The latest rock and roll juggernaut from Andy Macbain/Hilken Mancini/Johnny Sheeran/Simon Simard. Supergroup! It has that classic Macbain blown out sound. I don’t know how he gets it! The whole gang is great though. And hey, we the KLYAM get a shout out on “Year of the Rat.” Holy shit!

There’s also a new Andy California release (older songs).

Lots of good shit, current and old, and a handful that were fine, but probably won’t receive a second listen!

Happy Farm had a sick demo! Weird ass, screechy vocals the way I love them! Maybe you’ll see them on a Best of 2025 list if I ever actually get around to that…..

See you soon suckers! – Chris

December:

1. Split System – No Cops in Heaven/Pull the Trigger 7” (2025)
2. Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band – Gorilla (1967)
3. Larry & the Jerks – Kicked in the Head by Joe Devola (2024)
4. Citric Dummies – “Split With Turnstile” (2025)
5. The Paris Sisters – Sing Everything Under the Sun (1967)
6. Angel Face – Out in the Street (2025)
7. Premier Lawn Service- Pissed Off EP (2025)
8. Half – HALF Live Demo (2025)
9. Candypants – Candypants (2000)
10.  Glueman – Glueman III (2025)
11.  Outside View – 2025 Cuts (2025)
12.  Spooky Visions – Unraveled EP (2025)
13.  The Chocolate Watchband – The Inner Mystique (1968)
14.  Country Christmas with Buck Owens, Glen Campbell, Ferlin Husky, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Sonny James, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans (1967)
15.  Ray Conniff and the Ray Conniff Singers – We Wish You a Merry Christmas (1962)
16.  Dean Martin – The Dean Martin Christmas Album (1966)
17.  Baby Tyler – Sucker with a Dream (2025)
18.  Freak Phone – Demo (2025)
19.  Shitcontrol – Hungriga, Frusna och Lamslagna (2025)
20.  Proglottid – Bodies Change to Dust (2018)
21.  Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record (1976)
22.  DISPO – “Idüll” (2025)
23.  Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments – Negative Guest List (1994)
24.  Laughing Corpse – Beyond Recognition 7” (2025)
25.  Cheap Fix – Re-animator Blues 7” (2025)
26.  Giustino DiGregorio – Sprut (1995)
27.  Tive – 恥部 (2022)
28.  Coffin Lids – Live Trash (Abbey Lounge Records) “The Nice Price” (2005)
29.  Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend (2025)
30.  Bang! Bros – Hard Rocks Volume 1 (2012)
31.  Itches – House Animal Included (2025)
32.  Les Rallizes Dénudés – Heavier Than a Death in the Family (2002)
33.  Institute – Salt EP (2014)
34.  Hickey – Us vs Them 7” (1995)
35.  Enuf – Demo (1988)
36.  Doc Corbin Dart – Patricia (1990)

I don’t have a year ender for you yet! I’m still compiling that; stay tuned! In the meantime, this is what I listened to for the first time in December. Lots of Christmas music! I got a few new records this year. Dean Martin, Ray Conniff, a sweet Country compilation, in addition to all the usual classics I enjoy!

Angel Face’s Out in the Street was probably my favorite! No surprise with members hailing from the legendary Japanese Garage Punk outfit Teengenerate! I thought it was better than their previous releases. Not as fiery and messy as Teengenerate, but some sick, impressive Power Pop. Gritty and I saw them at Gonerfest in 2024 and we actually met them at the airport. Super kind! Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments is a band I’ve been meaning to listen to forever and have only done in bits and pieces over the years. I finally listened to a whole album! It was awesome! What have I been smoking this whole time? New Bedford icon Mike Mountain’s favorite! Scuzzy, not quite right, but fees too good to be wrong noisy rock and roll comparable to fellow Ohioans Pagans as well as Pussy Galore. To quote Marge Simpson “I Just Think they’re neat.” Freak Phone is a newer local band (Portland, ME) I have my eye on! I’ll see them at Midway on 1/31 and I hope to book them myself in the new year!

Happy New Year fuckers, suckers, bozos, jokers, smokers, uppers, downers, dinos, winos, dryjanuaryers, and keeping wet dreams alive. I’ll be posting my year enders soon enough. Maybe even a movie year ender????? Who knows?! Cheers! – Chris

October has come and gone… way too fast! I often listened to a Halloween mix I made 5 years ago as I do every October!

Anyways, below is stuff I listened to for the first time ever. Lot of new shit, Lot of punk shit. Got into Schizos again. Not sure if I ever listened to their stuff before besides a Live at Hi-Tone record in which they were thrown out of the Hi-Tone venue! I was there! It was a Gonerfest after party. It was a crazy show and then I saw them again there a year later. They somehow managed to sneak their way in under an alias. At THAT show I got a concussion. Records can’t do justice, but they come close enough! Another stand out for me was an album I never thought I’d ever actually see or hear or whatever.  Incoqnekro – Incoqnekromicon (2006). I read about this years ago on the Black Lips’ Wikipedia page, but either it wasn’t linked there before or I’m just a fool. But former Black Lip Joe Bradley apparently produced this Atlanta Hip Hop album and lent his own raps in the mix too! As one G. Gordon Gritty also noted, it sounds like proto 200 Million Thousand (2009) for you Lips fans out there! Give it a listen here. Solid, fun rap album! And pretty damn obscure. I can’t find it from a Google search and can’t find much on it beyond a Myspace page via wayback machine. https://incoqnekro.bandcamp.com/album/incoqnekronomicon

October:

1. Tall Juan – Raccoon Nights Demos (2025)
2. Science Man – Monarch Joy Part 2 (2025)
3. Black Flag – Panic Demos (1978)
4. Joe Glass – Slither (2022)
5. Nape Neck – Nape Neck (2020)
6. Nape Neck – Look Alive EP (2022)
7. Nape Neck – The Shallowest End (2025)
8. R.M.F.C. – Ecstatic Strifeby (2025)
9. The Slash – Demo (2025)
10.  Life Stinks – Life Stinks (2013)
11.  The Unknowns – Looking From the Outside (2025)
12.  The Thought Criminals – Hilton Bomber (Full 7” released 1978, reissued 2025)
13.  The Reatards – Plastic Surgery 7” (2005)
14.  Ramones – Subterranean Jungle (1983)
15.  C4 – Payback’s A Bitch (2025)
16.  I.C.B.M. – A Nation Ends (2025)
17.  The Kinks – Muswill Hillbillies (1971)
18.  Picniclunch – snaxbandwitches (2025)
19.  Black Lips – Season of the Peach (2025)
20.  Quintron and Miss Pussycat – Crystal Crunchy EP (2025)
21. Schizos – Fuck Iggy Pop (2016)
22.  Schizos – Schizos (2019)
23.  Schizos – Come Back With A Warrant (2021)
24.  Grimly Pleased – Here For Pleasure (2023)
25.  Incoqnekro – Incoqnekromicon (2006)
26.  Dead Prez – Let’s Get Free (2000)
27.  Echo, Bravo – Der Tod und das Mädchen (2024)
28.  Cody Switch – Straight for Pay (2022)
29.  The Thermals – Parts Per Million (2003)
30.  Normativ – Demo_1 (2025)
31.  Atomic Candy Creeps – II (2025)
32. 1-800 Mikey/Gee Tee – Split (2025)
33.  Ryan Kidd – Rock N Rule (2025)
34.  Adam Green – Falling Around EP (2025)
35.  Shadowing – Body Neutral EP (2025)
36.  No Peeling – No Peeling 7” (2025)
37.  Buzzcocks – UK Punk Demos (1976)
38.  Pack – S/T (1978)

Already working on November! – Chris