RIP Ben Tan

I saw several wonderful shows in May and listened to a lot of sick music, indeed. Unfortunately, May was also an incredibly sad month as our bandmate and lifelong friend, Ben Tan, passed away from rectal cancer at the young age of 36. We had a beautiful ceremonial show for him at Midway Cafe (followed by a Jeanie Johnston karaoke night dedicated to Ben) and a Celebration of Life as well. I know Ben would be proud of us and amazed at how many people cared about him. He’d also be cracking jokes about all of us! RIP Ben. We’ll miss you so much! We’ll have more remembrances.

Speaking of Ben, one silver lining has been uncovering all kinds of unreleased ditties Ben kept secret from us. “The King Tan & GGG Show” is one of them, which finds Ben Tan teaming up with KLYAM head honcho G. Gordon Gritty in loose, equally sweet and shambolic and sometimes hilarious Everly Brothers covers. I recommend it! https://ggordongritty.bandcamp.com/album/the-king-tan-and-ggg-show

This month was a bit light. I didn’t hear too many things that knocked me off my rocker, but I enjoyed most of them! I revisited Sediment Club (featuring Jackie of Urochromes/Mark Cone). I don’t think I’ve ever actually listened to an album. That was cool! https://sedimentclub.bandcamp.com/album/the-sediment-club-live-at-trixies-palace

Buhlio is a cool, ambienty, experimental, noise project from here in Boston. Worth checking out and maybe we’ll see a live performance someday?! I’ve encountered them just hanging out at shows in person and I’m happy they shared their music with me. https://buhlio.bandcamp.com/

Last, but certainly not least, shout out to Andrew Anderson, of Freak Genes, Proto Idiot, The Hipshakes, and several others bands, who recently passed away as well. Fuck, what is with all these young people dying? Terrible. At least we have the music. All good bands, but Freak Genes was one of the best of the past few years. We had the pleasure to catch them twice at Gonerfest in 2022 and hung out with Andrew during the fest. RIP.

May 2026:

1. Freak Genes – Playtime (2017) RIP Andrew Anderson
2. Laughing Torso – Dead Homies 7” (2026)
3. Jerilyn – Children, Rejoice With Me! (1992)
4. V/A – Tales from the Asphalt (2006)
5. Sediment Club – Live At Trixie’s Palace (2018)
6. Sediment Club – Time Decay Now (2012)
7. The Sleeveens – National Anthem (2026)
8. Proto Idiot – Leisure Opportunity (2017)
9. Tower of One – Invisible Fence (2025)
10.  Cordell Jackson – Live in Chicago (1997)
11.  David Bowie – Low (1977)
12.  Control Freaks – She’s the Bomb (2019)
13.  Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Primary Colours (2015)
14.  The Screaming Meemes – Stars in My Eyes – Songs & Singles 1979-1981 (1992)
15.  Belle and Sebastion – Tiger Milk (1996)
16.  Buhlio – Panopticon (2026)
17.  Surface Noise Volume 10 – Unknown mix tape
18.  Fatlip – The Loneliest Punk (2005)
19.  The King Tan & GGG Show – S/T (2026, recorded 2025) RIP Ben Tan
20.  Control Freaks – Mindless Entertainment (2017)
21.  Rollins Band – Turned On (1990)
22.  Smog Moss – Pets (2026)

Next month marks the year anniversary of me starting these “What I’ve Been Listening To” posts. I plan on doing a larger poster chronicling everything from the past 12 months and more! June also marks the 17th anniversary of Kids Like You & Me! Holy shit! We’re almost adults! – Chris

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