Nice! I can’t wait to see Peach Kelli Pop live again, I love so many of these songs like “Panchito Blues II” “Dreamphone’ “Do the Eggroll,” and “Doo Wah Diddy.”
Category Archives: Art
Classic Jay Reatard Interview
Jay discusses touring, SXSW, and what makes a memorable live set.
Concert Review: Dirty Virgins, Slimers, Krill, ABADABAD @ Great Scott (12/18/12)
Eye Design Presents: Treat Yo Self Christmas Edition With Music From:
Dirty Virgins, Abadabad, Krill and Slimers
Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Venue: Great Scott (Allston, MA)
Act I: Slimers– Ahh, it’s good to be back in ye olde Great Scott. Tonight, the place is looking festive, decked out in various Christmas decorations. For those that don’t know (you oughta be ashamed of yourselves), Slimers is Lukas Goudreault (vocals, guitar) and Keven Lareau (vocals and drums/percussion) of The Migs and MMOSS and they are dressed in equally festive raiment: some badass Cosby looking Christmas sweaters. Da Slimers start their sound checkin’ and for a few brief moments I feel like we’re at some house show. No, I don’t mean house as in a basement, living room, DIY sorta thang. I mean house as in electronic, trance, dubstep, etc. It’s trippy, loud and intense brah, where are the glowsticks and euphoric blockbusters? Nowhere to be found, because Slimers aren’t a hair cut band and more importantly this is just their sound check. Christ, why am I reviewing sound checks? That would be pretty funny though if we at KLYAM just reviewed sound checks from here on out. Fuck the set tonight, I just want to hear a killer sound check, man. Good lord. In all seriousness though, when Slimers are sound checking, they start playing for a little bit and I’m fucking immersed in all their sliminess. I look to my right at Glen and I can see in his eyes that he feels the same way. Then I look behind me and I notice that we’re the only ones in front of the stage. I’m thinking “what is a matter with all of these jokers?” Then the band immediately stops like a car going 90 slamming on the breaks. They walk off the stage, and Glen and I look at each other, both thinking the same thing: “fuck, we’re idiots!” We were both thinking that that was the beginning of their actual set, not just a sound check. Aww man, this sound check is like the pre-cum that cums out before the real cum. No worries, the real cum arrives shortly and better than I expected. Slimers produce a blast of noise, psych, and the kind of rock ‘n’ roll we consistently champion here, the only kind. It’s a fun, loud set and in fact the best of the night. I’m still acclimating myself to their songs, but I find it hard not to sing along to “SPAGHETTIANN,” a catchy number that draws comparisons to early Ty Segall. The duo close their set with a cover of “Louie, Louie.” YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH! Get yer ya-ya’s out with Slimers here: http://slimerz.bandcamp.com/
Act II: Krill– Krill is a three piece from Somerville that I am not particularly fond of, but it appears as though others in attendance are digging them. They seem to have some noisy garage vibes like the other bands on the bill this evening, but they don’t diddle my twat the way Slimers diddled my twat. This is just my first impression, sometimes I change my mind, so I plan on giving them more listens. Here’s their bandcamp page, check it out : http://wheretheresakrilltheresaway.bandcamp.com/
Act III: ABADABAD– At this point in the evening, the Great Scott is pretty packed. I mean actually throughout the whole show, the turn out for a Tuesday night has been spectacular. ABADABAD, what a name for these dudes! ABADABAD is a band I have never heard of until now. I enjoy their set for it’s mellow, danceable, power pop quality. And yes indeed some dancing emerges during their peformance, which is always positive. Click on their bandcamp page, they have plenty of releases you can dance your ass off to: http://abadabad.bandcamp.com/
Act IV: Dirty Virgins– It’s been an excellent year in music, each year seems to get better, but what makes this year so special for KLYAM is the fact that we have had more exposure and experience with local- Boston/ New England based music more than ever before. Dirty Virgins are certainly a part of the Boston underground music scene and definitely one of the best local bands I’ve seen all year. I saw them before at the Dirty Douglas and that was a bastard of a show. Good times. Tonight, the Dirty Virgins are just as fun as before, if not more. The crowd dances and moshes (a little bit) and in general all are in high spirits. They deliver a ball busting, rocking set filled with several great tunes. I especially dig the headbanging inducing anthemic rocker, “Cheap Talk” as well as the country droolin’ ballads in “Bar Rot” and “Company Store,” two jams that make the band earn the description in the first half of their moniker. The latter number in particular is a terrific sing-a-long. Listen to all their punk slime here: http://dirtyvirgins.bandcamp.com/
Black Lips- “Christmas In Baghdad”
It’s tradition around here to post our favorite band’s Christmas jingle, so here’s to sticking with traditions.
Chris’s Top Songs Of Twenty-Twelve
As with every year, I’m listing off my favorite songs (in alphabetical order) and keeping to a three song maximum per band, because there’s just way too many to list all of them! And we’re off.
A:
Adam Green & Binki Shapiro– “Here I Am”
Atlantic Thrills– “Foreign Lands” “Acid Rain” “Give It Back”
B:
The Barbaras– “Breathing Underwater” “How Many Times” “Only One”
Bent Shapes– “Bites and Scratches” “Leave It Till You Need It”
Best Coast– “The Only Place”
C:
Cumstain– “Ghost Love” “Rollin Wrong” “Sit and Twist”
D:
Dangeresque– “Walking Dead”
Diamond Rugs– “Blue Mountains”
Dirty Virgins– “Cheap Talk”
E:
The Electric Street Queens– “Beefcake Baby” “She’s Gotta Bruise” “Doncha Wanna Work At the Brewary”
F:
Fagettes– “If I See Him Again” “On Drugs”
Fat Creeps– “700 Parts” “Nancy Drew” “Secrets”
G:
Gangbang Gordon– “Life At the ABC” “QMI Fatties”
Ghetto Cross– “Still”
Gravys Drop– “Made to Love” “Runaway” “Happy Birthday”
H:
Hunx– “Private Room” “Always Forever” “I’m Not The One You’re Looking For”
J:
Jacques Le Coque– “Grow Up”
K:
King Khan & The Shrines– “Bite My Tongue”
M:
Maine Coons– “Ghetto Queen” “Tired and Inspired” “Uniform Choice”
The Migs– “You and Me” “Fuzzy Son” “Take Take Take”
N:
Natural Child– “Faces of Death”
The New Highway Hymnal– “Hey Kid (Gotta Run)” “More” “Blackend Hands”
Nobunny– “Assholes” “At the Mall”
O:
The Orwells– “Halloween All Year” “Mallrats (La La La)”
P
Peach Kelli Pop– “Panchito Blues II” “Dreamphone”
S:
Saba Lou– “Until The End”
Shannon and the Clams– “Angel Baby”
SKIMASK– “Get U Back” “Fine China”
Slimers– “Spaghetti Ann”
Squall– “Repulsor” “No Life Here”
T:
Ty Segall– “Thank God For Sinners” “You’re The Doctor”
Ty Segall Band– “Wave Goodbye”
Y:
Yankee Power– “Stray” “Adopted Love Doll” “Real Folk”
Read USA Today Article On Black Lips’ Middle East Tour
USA Today
Check out this article in USA Today “The Power of Positive Punks” by Nathan Matisse here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/popcandy/2012/12/14/the-power-of-positive-punks/1770461/ and read a review of one of the Black Lips’ intimate shows (50-100 people in attendance) in Erbil, Iraq by J. Levkowitz: http://inparenthesesmag.com/2012/10/02/the-black-lips-bring-rock-and-roll-to-mesopotamia/
Johnny Cash- “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day”
No one makes Christmas music like Johnny Cash.
Review: Mark Sultan, Future Spa, Headband, Squall @ Starlab (12/8/12)
Bands: Mark Sultan/BBQ, Future Spa, Headband, Squall
Date: Saturday, December 8, 2012
Venue: Starlab (Somerville, MA)
Act I: Squall – Last time I heard this name was at a Mark Sultan show in Boston almost exactly a year ago tonight. Squall (along with The Sinbusters) opened for Sultan at the Magic Gallery last December. Twas a great show, here’s the review: https://klyam.com/2011/12/16/concert-review-mark-sultan-magic-room-gallery/ and here’s a clip of Squall’s set: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGXGZcFDeWg&feature=related. Alas, we actually missed Squall that night. Fortunately, this time around we arrive early and are able to catch all four bands on the bill. Squall plays first and it is a pleasant experience. Going into shows, I don’t anticipate anything from bands I have never seen before, other than that I hope I will like them of course. I was asked earlier in the evening that very question: “Do you predict what the bands will sound like before the show?” No, not at all. It is better that way. I like to get a sonic punch in the face from every new band I see. I want that to be our little moment. If I had sat around dreaming up the possible sounds of Squall, it would have less of an effect on me. Anyway, the band is a three piece consisting of one dude on vocals and a “1970s electonics set up” to quote one attendee, another on guitar, and the last on drums. Together they create a cacophonous, deafening blast of noise pop that reminds me of Jesus and Mary Chain but with a Nick Cave/ Glenn Danzig combined beast on vocals. This performance is solid and I am intrigued by Squall, but tonight I can only hear hints of their talent as songwriters. I feel like if the sound is just a smidgen better than the songs would be more effective. Listen to their BandCamp, the songs are sick and even better than I imagined. http://squall.bandcamp.com/
Set List:
“Repulsor”
“No Life Here”
“The Vessel”
“Tiny Hammers”
“Imperialized”
“Black Marks”
Act II: Headband– Headband is a cool band that I’ve never ever come across in all my years on this planet. Which is funny because they have existed since I was in Kindergarten! But, I am pleased to have made their sonic acquaintance tonight. Speaking of the 90s, I definitely get a lot of 90s “indie rock” vibes, chiefly Pavement, Dinosaur Jr, and Sebadoh. I mean I’d be shocked if one didn’t. Headband even display that mellow, laid back demeanor often attributed to those bands or that style/era. The dudes casually switch instruments during their set, which is always fun. After the performance, I briefly chat with members Brad and Matt, solid dudes! http://buzzardrock.bandcamp.com/
Act III: Future Spa– Tonight’s host, D.J. Murray and crew kick it in Future Spa, a noisy, hardcore punk drenched out fit, fresh on the scene. D.J. feverishly belts out the vocals with the classiness of G.G. Allin. Is it me or did I just hear Gibby Haynes. Nope, I’m not going insane, a clip of Ministry’s “Jesus Built My Hotrod” plays in the middle of their set, specifically the part with Gibby Haynes on guest vocals, y’all know the part! One of the last songs the band performs is a cover of KLYAM fave, No Age’s “Everybody’s Down.” I’m down, are you? https://soundcloud.com/futurespa/sets/starlab-demos
Act IV: Mark Sultan– Damn, KLYAM is four Mark Sultan shows deep. If you read this site, then you know Sultan has played a pivotal role in shaping our tastes in music with his various bands: Spaceshits, Les Sexareenos, The King Khan & BBQ Show, and his solo work. I feel like if you enjoy any of these bands you would dig Mark Sultan/BBQ as is. It’s all straight up, rock ‘n’ roll as it always has been. It is thrilling to see Sultan in a basement, to be so close to such pure, rock ‘n’ roll. It’s crazy. I almost feel vulnerable in a way. Here is rock ‘n’ roll as it should be done and despite unfortunate illness, this is the best set I have seen from Mark Sultan. As countless, including myself, have stated before, the vocals are mesmerizing in general, but live is insane. As usual, classic after classic is unleashed – virtually all beloved songs during my youth. Yet, it’s really just like one giant song, one take. The War On Rock ‘n’ Roll. Honestly, that’s the best way to appreciate it. I recommend you see Mark Sultan live when he comes to your town. http://marksultan.com/
MR. SUPERNATURAL!
Watch this vintage flick, MR. SUPERNATURAL! starring King Khan & The Shrines.
Single Review: Bent Shapes – “Panel of Experts”/ “Bites and Scratches”
Band: Bent Shapes
Songs: “Panel of Experts” and “Bites and Scratches”
Release Date: 12/12/12
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Bent Shapes live a couple of times this fall and in both instances nearly every song had at least one memorable quality. In fact, their Bandcamp page (http://bentshapes.bandcamp.com/album/demo) contains some of these fine pop tunes. With this release, the trio further this reputation, adding two more catchy, jangly numbers to their catalog. The first song “Panel of Experts” kicks off with some simple, steady drumming from Andy Sadoway and soon vocalist/guitarist Ben Potrykus and vocalist/bassist Supriya Gunda chime in with sunny guitar riffs that remind me of Weezer. I know I’ve compared Bent Shapes to Weezer before, and believe me they extend beyond that comparison, but I can’t help but note the easy on the ears, direct hooks that both bands possess. “Panel” is a catchy song, for sure, but I prefer the second half of this single – “Bites and Scratches.” This is a really killer tune. I distinctly remember this song sticking out during the live performances, so it is exciting to hear the final version. “Bites” is instantaneous, wrapping you in from the first few seconds – and Lord knows I’m a sucker for such pop songs. I hear a lot of pop songs about couples holding hands, but the words usually don’t mean much to me. And I’ll be honest, I don’t pay attention to lyrics that much anyway, but in this song Ben’s vocals are so strong I can easily picture him (or the character in this song) grabbing a girl’s hand and sharing in their mutual feeling of self-disgust or “damaged goods” as they call it. “Bites” exemplifies what I love about Bent Shapes: fun, but not the kind of fun you would have with Black Lips or The Migs. More along the lines of feeling sad, frustrated, and moody (don’t worry I’m getting to my point) – but not in an emo, stay alone in your room and listen to sad music sort of thing. More like, I feel like shit, but I’ll go to this party anyway, and stay up to watch the sun rise. And a hazy feeling of euphoria, “it will be alright,” takes over. I guess that means fun to me. If you can evoke those emotions in me in less than two minutes, then you get an A in my book.
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 