Deep Thoughts from Sasha Tolmachyov on Vimeo.
Check out this short documentary on one of Boston’s best record stores, Deep Thoughts in Jamaica Plain. Keep an eye out at 3:01 for a KLYAM Records Release!
Category Archives: Art
Listen: Peach Kelli Pop – “Do the Eggroll” Japanese Version!
Yo, I know y’all loved the OG Eggroll from Peach Kelli Pop, but you will piss your pants when you hear this new Japanese version! It’s available through Recess Records (Japan).
Listen here: http://peachkellipop.bandcamp.com/
Review: The Orwells & Twin Peaks @ Great Scott (3/4/14)
Bands: The Orwells, Twin Peaks
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Venue: Great Scott (Allston, MA)
Twin Peaks – Twin Peaks are on tour with their fellow Chicago brethren, The Orwells. I’ve never seen the dudes before, but I dig what I hear now. They seem to have a similar style as the headliners; mixing the bare bones style of garage with a further reaching, bigger ROCK sound, and not coming off as cheesy might I add.
While I do enjoy Twin Peaks, they play for a little bit longer than I need. Johnny Ramone once said that young bands should play for fifteen minutes. Essentially Johnny is saying hit the audience like a bucket of water with your best material and leave them thirsting for more. Then again, you’re on tour, only two bands are playing, play a long set, enjoy the experience. http://twinpeakschicago.bandcamp.com/
The Orwells – These fine, young men must really love Boston. We’ve been spoiled in the past year, with this being the fifth KLYAM attended Orwells show. The gamut has ranged from somewhat empty clubs to gianormous arenas, and everywhere in between. The band opening for FIDLAR at the Sinclair was the best, until now.
To rewind for one second, last month we saw Chicago’s finest opening for Arctic Monkeys at Agganis Arena alongside Deerhunter. Tasty swells indeed, but let’s face it arenas are just massive shitholes. Like a shithole inside of a shithole for shitholes. The Orwells done well, just they were so so so far away. I want my Orwells right in front of me, staring through my very soul, like one Mario Cuomo (vocals) always does, when he’s not being pig piled by a series of babes and fanboys galore. Needless to say, The Orwells feel right at home here at Great Scott – a 250 capacity venue. Sold out show, may I add.
Yes, the kids are moshing and sloshing and playing and swaying about to all the classic (yes classic!) Orwells tunes and then some. In addition to the band’s standard covers of “I Wanna Be Your Dog” and “Build Me Up Buttercup” apparently they also cover Black Lips’ “Not A Problem.” How do I miss this?!
The set crashes to its conclusion when a fucked Mario hucks the mic stand into the crowd (or maybe that was earlier in the show? I don’t know anymore) as an ensuing storm of hysterical Orwells fans flood the stage and hover over the frontman. Meanwhile, he clutches my hand and stares me down, without blinking once. He’s an odd duck.
All in all, one of the best shows of twenty-fourteen thus far. Orwells we always welcome you with open arms.
Review: Atlantic Thrills & White Pages @ Video Underground (2/28/14)
Bands: Atlantic Thrills, White Pages
Date: Friday, February 28, 2014
Venue: Video Underground (Jamaica Plain, MA)
Video Underground, I’ve been meaning to be in you for a couple of years now. You are a dying breed. No, actually breathing your last few breaths, sadly. I miss video stores soooo much. I have numerous fond memories of being a child and spending hours in videos stores (big shout out to Video Master in Wakefield, MA!) I rented A Clockwork Orange, Raging Bull, and Blue Velvet as a little kid, imagine me at recess. No wonder I was the odd man out. I also remember being hassled for skeeving my way into the 18 + section. I was a curious kid hehe. Got a huge kick out of the adults making their awkward purchases hehe.
So yes, it is fantastic to be back inside an actual video store. I heard this place is shutting down or not? What’s the scoop? I certainly hope it isn’t!
White Pages – I’ve heard about this band a million times, but I’ve never actually seen them live. I’m not really enthralled by their performance and for the most part it just comes off as generic garage rock to me. I’ll check out their music on bandcamp and see if I feel differently. http://whitepages.bandcamp.com/album/7-ep
Atlantic Thrills – Fuck man, Atlantic Thrills, well this is their album release show. Boston album release show anyway. We had a grande olde time at the Providence album release show and you can read about it here: https://klyam.com/2014/02/10/review-atlantic-thrills-album-release-show-w-ravi-shavi-gymshorts-littlefoot-dusk-2114/. We really hoped to bring back all the nudity, silly string, and general feeling of debauchery that was such a huge part of what made that show so special, but it just wasn’t happening tonight. That’s okay. We’ve been there before.
As I’ve written in the past, we’ve seen Thrillz shows filled with non stop moshing and dancing and then there’s been times where the crowd barely moves much at all. Tonight is more like the latter.
So, essentially it’s just Glen and me jumping up and down, getting all hysterical and primitive. We’re fresh off a Nice Guys/Miami Doritos tour kick off show – we’re all revved up and ready to go. Alas, we aren’t able to get others to join in all our lively commotion. Sometimes, it’s just not happening. That’s alright, it won’t stop us from having fun and it doesn’t stop the band either. Tragically, an outside force does indeed STOP the fun. About halfway through “Day At the Beach,” the po po shows up to ruin everyone’s good time. Bands playing at videos stores is apparently one of the top criminal offenses in the city of Boston. What’s even worse is that Liquor Store came all of the way from New Jersey and didn’t get to play. Next time gentlemen, we’ll reconvene under more civil circumstances.
KING KHAN & THE SHRINES TOUR DATES/SINCLAIR (6/10/14)!
King Khan from the last time (10/29/13) The Shrines were in Boston
I always love discovering that one of my favorite national or better yet international bands is coming to town. It’s like a birthday gift in its own little way. This time, it’s the soul machine nine piece: King Khan & The Shrines – his sensational shrines. They are heading on two massive tours (Europe & North America), making a stop at The Sinclair in Cambridge on Tuesday, June 10th. Be there or be somewhere else significantly less spiritually awakening.
Tour Dates:
– EUROPE 2014 –
04/11 CH, ZURICH – MESSAGE SALON
04/12 CH, BERN – DACHSTOCK
04/13 CH, GENEVA – L’USINE
04/14 FR, TOULOUSE – CONNEXION CAFE
04/15 FR, JOUÈ-LÈS-TOURS – LE TEMPS MACHINE
04/16 FR, LILLE – AERONEF
04/17 UK, BRIGHTON – THE HAUNT
04/18 UK, LEEDS – BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB
04/19 IE, DUBLIN – WHELANS
04/20 IE, BELFAST – THE BLACK BOX
04/21 UK, GLASGOW – BROADCAST
04/22 UK, MANCHESTER – THE ROADHOUSE
04/23 UK, LIVERPOOL – KOROVA
04/24 UK, LONDON – SCALA
04/25 FR, PARIS – LA MAROQUINERIE
04/26 DE, STUTTGART – CLUB UNIVERSUM
04/27 HU, BUDAPEST – KUPLUNG
04/28 AT, VIENNA – CHELSEA
04/29 AT, LINZ – CROSSING EUROPE FILM FESTIVAL
04/30 DE, FRANKFURT – MOUSONTURM
05/01 BE, LESSINES – ROOTS & ROSES FESTIVAL
05/02 DE, MÜNSTER – GLEIS 22
05/03 NL, GRONINGEN – THE OOSTERPOORT
05/04 NL, AMSTERDAM – MELKWEG
05/05 NL, HAARLEM – BEVRIJDINGSPOP
05/05 NL, DEN BOSCH – BEVRIJDINGSFESTIVAL
– NORTH AMERICA 2014 –
05/30 AUSTIN, TX – MOHAWK / CHAOS IN TEJAS
05/31 HOUSTON, TX – FREE PRESS SUMMER FESTIVAL
06/01 NEW ORLEANS, LA – ONE EYED JACKS
06/03 TBA
06/04 BALTIMORE, MD – OTTOBAR
06/05 PHILADELPHIA, PA – THEATER OF LIVING ARTS
06/06 NEW YORK, NY – LE POISSON ROUGE
06/07 BROOKLYN, NY – MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG
06/10 CAMBRIDGE, MA – SINCLAIR
06/11 PITTSBURGH, PA – CLUB CAFE
06/12 COLUMBUS, OH – ACE OF CUPS
06/14 MANCHESTER, TN – BONNAROO FESTIVAL
06/15 ST. LOUIS, MO – OFF BROADWAY
06/16 CHICAGO, IL – EMPTY BOTTLE
06/17 MINNEAPOLIS, MN – 7TH STREET ENTRY
06/18 IOWA CITY, IA – GABES
06/19 KANSAS CITY, KS – THE RECORD BAR
06/21 DENVER, CO – WESTWORD MUSIC SHOWCASE
06/22 SALT LAKE CITY, UT – URBAN LOUNGE
06/24 VANCOUVER, BC – INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FEST
06/25 SEATTLE, WA – NEUMOS
06/26 PORTLAND, OR – STAR THEATRE
06/28 SAN FRANCISCO, CA – THE CHAPEL
06/29 LOS ANGELES, CA – TROUBADOUR
Now, here is the NEW video for “Born to Die”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVvnT83m0hc Noisey won’t let me post the video here :(.
Review: Saralee, Flag Day, Sean Nicholas Savage @ Whitehaus (3/1/14)
Bands: Saralee, Flag Day, Sean Nicholas Savage, Free Pizza
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2014
Venue: Whitehaus (Jamaica Plain, MA)
Saralee – Last time (which was actually the first time) we were here, it all happened in a flash. We came, we saw [Jackson Heights Queens, NY’s holiest The Beets], we came again, and then we had to abruptly leave to make the train home. Fortunately, this time we arrive early to sit back and relax within the haus, and chat with some colorful characters, both old and new, pounding down Rolling Rocks aka “dad’s beer” according to one, Ben Katzman. Shine on you crazy diamond!
Saralee has been a KLYAM favorite since 2011. In many ways they were our introduction to the Boston underground music scene. Some of our first basement shows were Saralee shows. I associate their music with dank, steel reserved beer reeking basement spaces, such as this one tonight, and a stoned, serene state of mind doesn’t hurt either. It’s hard not to have this image in mind, because I’ve only seen the band in basements. Problem House. Gay Gardens. Ant Cellar (Lowell). JP Drizzle. And now Whitehaus. You could say they are the quintessential Boston basement band, like it’s an essential ingredient in the Saralee sound. A sound that is somewhat hard to describe. I’ve been asked before what does Saralee sound like? And I honestly have trouble defining it. It’s more of a mood if anything. They are soft, but also intense at the same time. Heavy need not be a volume. There’s a dreamlike quality to them too. All things considered, Whitehaus is a perfect venue for Saralee; for whatever reason I have never seen the band at an above ground establishment and I’m a completely okay with that.
If you haven’t heard this machine, then you have some serious HWs to attend to: http://saralee.bandcamp.com/
Flag Day – Flag Day sort of throws me off guard, which is always a plus. In other words, I won’t forget this performance because it is akin to a radical, industrial pop DJ set. It’s a combo of what I believe is original material as well as a series of contemporary and classic hits for the crowd to dance their asses off to and they do. Everything from the Bee Gees’ ” Stayin’ Alive” to The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” to some Blink -182 song to Wavves’ “King of the Beach.” This onslaught of bratty, manic dance inducing pop reminded me of why these songs are memorable in the first place and made me reflect on when I first heard them at various points in my life. Deep Thoughts. Ok, it’s time to take it easy for a second. http://everydayisflagday.bandcamp.com/
Sean Nicholas Savage – Straight up, I am not present for most of his set (for the second half, physically, for the first half mentally), but I can see a lot of folks going bonkers to this gentle Canadian’s impassioned music. WORD. Check it out here: http://arbutusrecords.com/?page_id=30
Free Pizza – We missed Free Pizza :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( , hey it’s okay buddy we’ll see em’ again soon! :). One of the best in Boston and one of my faves all around. Listen to their epic debut here: http://freepizzarocks.bandcamp.com/
Review: Nice Guys & Miami Doritos Tour Kick Off @ Thieves Grotto (2/28/14)
Bands: Nice Guys, Miami Doritos, Malportardo Kids, Grave Ideas
Date: Friday, February 28, 2014
Venue: Thieves Grotto
Grave Ideas – For Grave Ideas, I’m standing off to the side, gulping down several Rolling Rocks, just savoring the moment. I’m waiting in heavy anticipation for our dudes in Nice Guys and Miami Doritos, who will be on shortly. It’s satisfying to be able to sit back and chill in one spot and admire the music casually from afar, while there’s still plenty of room for others to go bonkers to the band. I’ll save all my piss and vinegar for the Nice Doritos. So yeah, this is my first time here at Thieves Grotto and it is one of the finer, more spacious basement spaces I have come across in my show attending journey thus far. I’ll slug back some more Rolling Rocks (hey, I like the taste! It’s like rock ‘n’ roll backwards, almost! Kurt Cobain told me that one) before I slide into the Miami Doritos zone. Grave Ideas, aren’t a bad band, but I don’t recall them as being memorable either. I’ll have to check em’ out again some other time. You can just by clicking this link: http://graveideas.bandcamp.com/
Miami Doritos – The Miami Doreets. Damn, they are ever so tasty, I could yank a whole bag of these Doritos right out of your hands and have em’ all to myself! For those that don’t know, MD is a crunchy two piece featuring the likes of Kurt Egghart on vocals/guitar and Alex Aronson on drums. They are quite the two piece. I have a soft spot for two pieces though. Aren’t they just the cutest? I always picture two pieces to be like the best of buddies. They play checkers and eat ice cream together, finish each other’s sentences. It’s like my crazy uncle used to say, “what’s better than one piece? Two pieces.”
By the time these Doreets begin to play I’m feeling fully in love with the world and simultaneously hating it all over, it’s a bizarre juxtaposition I’ve been meaning to get checked out maybe the mighty Miami Doritos can help me with this. They have a song about someone farting or something like that, it gives me a boat load of chuckles that make me raise my beer and say to Kurt “Haha, chararde you are sir, charade you are!” Except, I didn’t actually say that, but I wanted to, possibly. I hate when music journalist fucks lie in their articles. Fuck music journalism! ONLY TRUST ME! OBEY YOUR MASTER!
Laughs are fine and all, but I want gasps. I want bodies slamming into one another like the tides of the ocean. And I get what I want! I do actually, thanks to the rough, garage/noise attack that is the Miami Doritos. I’ve seen the duo before, but the kids at Thieves Grotto know how to throw down and have a good time, and it just helps make a great show for all involved.
Among the many classic, legendary hits that Miami Doritos puke out tonight, there are two primal BANGERS known as “Price 2 Pay” and “Rush Hour/Piss Take,” which can be heard on the Nice Guys/Miami Doritos Splifft 7″ available via KLYAM Records. Holy seven inches Batman, it’s a Splifft!
Listen up cupcake: http://miamidoritos.bandcamp.com/
Nice Guys – Boy, I feel stuffed after all those Doritos. Wasn’t I just writing about Nice Guys? I was, I did, I will, therefore I am. If a nice guy falls in the woods and no one is around to pick him up, does he go blind? Yikes! Ok, let’s cut the comedy and get down to business.
I remember the first time I saw Nice Guys (it wasn’t that long ago you schmuck) in a dirty, dusty basement. Jake darted into the crowd, kids went wild. Laughs. Good times. But, here we are now and I can sincerely say that the Nice Guys have grown as a band, they were sick back then, but they are significantly better today. *Quit sucking their dicks says Mr. Cynical Reader.* But, hey this is my youth here and I say Nice Guys fucking rule, they don’t come last!
With such a friendly, upstanding bunch of gents you wouldn’t expect such noise, but these things happen. They bring forth the noise, the rock, and the kids know this, they eat it up. Aside from a few familiar faces, this basement is stacked with kids boppin’ and droolin’ over the Nice Guys. They feel that medical envy, don’t you? I just want to skull fuck the president.
NICE GUYS PLAY MEAN SONGS. FUCK OFF IF YOU’RE NOT A NICE GUY,YOU JUST SUCK ASS AND HAVE ZERO PERSONALITY. YOUR DICK ISN’T EVEN THAT BIG. FUCK YOU. NICE GUYS RULE.
Pick up the splifft Nice Guys/Miami Doritos 7″from KLYAM Records here: http://klyam.bigcartel.com/product/nice-guys-miami-doritos-splifft-7
We missed Providence’s Malportardo Kids, next time fellas. From one kid to another, slowly we’ll take over the world. No, let’s do it fast. We’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow.
KAL MARKS APRIL TOUR DATES!
Well, look what we have here. Boston behemoths Kal Marks are heading out on tour next month and you’d be a fool and a communist if you missed it. They are one of Boston’s greatest exports. See for yourself. http://kalmarks.bandcamp.com/
Tour Dates:
04/17 UTICA NY @ The DEV
04/18 Kent OH. @ The Stone Tavern
04/19 Louisville KY @ Astro Black
04/20 Carbondale IL. @ The Swamp
04/21 Milwaukee WI. @ House show TBA
04/22 Chicago Il. @ Situations
04/23 Kalamazoo MI @ Milhouse
04/24 Athens OH @ Lobsterfest
04/25 Buffalo NY @ Jungle Gym
04/26 Brooklyn NY @ Death By Audio
BUT WAIT I FORGOT: If you’re in the Boston area and looking for something to do on St. Patrick’s Day you can catch the band at Charlie’s Kitchen (Cambridge) playing alongside KLYAM Records’ starlets Nice Guys and Miami Doritos (fresh off a two week tour) as well as Buttercup, whom I am not familiar with, but I’m sure is as delicious as its name.
And what the hey, here’s a video of Kal Marks playing at Mill 5 in Lowell. Shot by Steve “Rat” Albert.
Review: Fagettes & Nice Guys @ Lilypad (2/14/14)
Bands: Hallelujah the Hills, The Dazies, The Fagettes, Nice Guys
Date: Friday, February 14, 2014
Venue: Lilypad (Cambridge, MA)
Nice Guys – NICE GUYS! These Nice fucking Guys right here. And they truly are nice guys, that’s not a misnomer. It’s like you tell your buddy, hey you’re going to like this dude, he’s a nice guy, he’s a goodfella.
Christ, if you haven’t heard the Nice Guys by now, I don’t know where the hell you’ve been man. I’m going to break my fucking back, digging you out of that hole you’ve been in these last couple years. You missed out on boxforts, 420 John Freeman parties, and many a Jamaican Vacation. But, it’s okay dawg, your time has come. We’re going to make it through this. That’s what this is all about, it’s supposed to be a catharsis. It’s Friday night, it’s Valentines’ Day (no wait, fuck that), and the Nice Guys are playing Jamaican Vacation.
I get that tingle, you know, when they announce that the next song is called “Jamaican Vacation.” Before they even play, I’m getting a little stiff. I tell my erect buddy to STAY DOWN! STAY DOWN! Let’s not make a scene. Boy, my folks must be real proud right now. “Son, I love when you freeze your reviews to stop and talk to your dick. I’m so proud of you honey!” There’s love in the air. My love for the Nice Guys stretches far and wide. You can hear the smash hit “Jamaican Vacation” and it’s cannabis reeking chum “Medical Envy” on a Splifft 7″ with fellow chart toppers Miami Doritos. You can order one here from KLYAM Records: http://klyam.bigcartel.com/product/nice-guys-miami-doritos-splifft-7 Do iT!
The Fagettes – After the Nice Guys set, I step outside for a bit, but not for too long, because within just a few moments my ears are dancing to the sweet, serene sounds of The Fagettes’ “When I’m With You – a tune I have been dying to hear live from the group 4eva. Tis in my top two favorite Fagettes numbers (special points for whoever guesses what my favorite Gettes song is. Hint: it’s also a live rarity). “When I’m With You” showcases the band’s softer side and brings to mind Beat Happening and early Best Coast, particularly in Melanie’s vocals. Seriously, it’s a live rarity, so as soon as I hear them playing I have to rush right in to the packed Lilypad space. Before me lies a series of bodies shaking, rocking, and sipping on their PBRs.
For this set, Jake Nice Guy joins the band on bass, reprising his role as a March 2013 Nice Guys/Fagettes Beast Coast Tour champion. Way to go Jake. I’m positive you’re little Valentine’s Day mailbox was always overflowing with Secret Admirers.
Another stand out for me tonight is “You’re Destroying Me,” which features Ryan and Melanie rocking out with the crowd. I think it’s the set closer? Ahh PBR, you’re destroying me.
Check out Fagettes here: http://thefagettes.bandcamp.com/
The Dazies and Hallelujah the Hills also played on this fine evening of local rock ‘n’ roll music. Alas, we did not see them play :(.
Review: Dylan Ewen & The Sulk Scouts @ Craft House (2/8/14)
Bands: Indian Twin, Life Size Maps, Dylan Ewen & The Sulk Scouts
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2014
Venue: Craft House (Medford, MA)
Dylan Ewen & The Sulk Scouts – It’s great to be back in the Craft House/Crab Haus, fuck it whatever you wish to call it, it’s swell. It sure as hell beats the cold outside, beats it right off. My balls are about to freeze into ice, ice, ice baby where am I going with this? There’s heat inside the haus, warmth – both physical and emotional. Me, my frozen testicles, and a case of PBR pop a squat upfront for the The Sulk Scouts.
I’ve seen my man Dylan Ewen a few times now in various incarnations, but this is my introduction to the Sulk Scouts, a girl group that plays with Dylan Ewen (vocals/guitar) and D. Ewen reg, Chris Geller on drums. The girls’ vocals are really sweet and smooth, they harmonize well. The vocals bounce off Dylan’s in a fun way and mixed with Chris’ drums the band has a sunny, day at the beach vibe to them. Gimmie a fucking hot chocolate and put an end to this miserable winter already! Sulk Scouts will suffice.
A couple of days ago, I saw a show at Agganis Arena and while I enjoyed most of the music itself, the experience just seemed so foreign to me. With this performance, I am glad to be back to my usual environment. I don’t want to say comfort zone, because those are no fun! Anywho, it’s a real pleasure to see some kids play in a living room and just have fun with the music. Not take themselves too seriously. That’s the attitude. It’s quirky, it’s sexy, but above all it’s FUN. The crowd gets it as some light, playful moshing consumes the Craft House space.
This set is filled with buses, horses, tuff girls, and handcuffs, but my favorite part is when The Sulk Scouts cover Girls’ signature song “Lust For Life.” The harmonies I spoke of earlier are exceptional in this instance. Shit brings me back to 2009 when I first heard and loved this song and so did you. Come on, you mean you didn’t blast “Lust For Life” and dance around in your underwear with a pizza and a bottle of wine? Damn, was it just me?!
Dylan’s a pimp.
Set-List:
“The Bus Song”
“Us Girls Got It Tuff”
“Cool Party”
“Lust For Life” (Girls cover)
“Horses Are Better”
“Forgot How to Have Fun”
“Handcuffs”
“Girlfriend”
“Fkuu Me”
Life Size Maps – Yeah, this just ain’t my thing at all. I hated it actually. Just not my thing.
Indian Twin – Damn, now these guys sounded more to my liking, but I only hear a few tunes before it’s time to depart to catch that nasty train. Next time!
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 