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