Category Archives: Music

Classic Album Review, Girls of the Gravitron, Music

Classic Album Review: “Magnetic Mountain”

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Band: Girls of the Gravitron
Release: 2010
Label: Miss Lonelyhearts Records

Comments: Once in a great while – and it sure is great – I come across a very inspirational group of music creators. Girls of the Gravitron are one of them. I got into this album on a whim, because why wouldn’t I want to explore a Memphis project that features members of the Barbaras and Magic Kids? Magnetic Mountain is not a highly polished offering; in fact, its homey and tinny sound accounts for a lot of what makes this click for me. The one song that I literally couldn’t stop listening to from the time that I heard it first is “Her Flower Opens Like Slow Moving Trail of Atom Bomb”. It makes me want to pick up a guitar and learn how to rip off Girls of the Gravitron. If only I could. It has the cheeriness of a lot of what folks might call underground pop – lots of jangle and some killer keyboard (especially at the end…thanks Will McElroy!). Cole Weintraub sings sort of like Jeffrey Novak and Calvin Johnson with a cool blend of Adam Green’s off-the-cuff delivery (listen to “Weird World” for justification of this claim) . Basically, if you love those dudes and a wide range of music styles – punk, folk, garage – you should have no problem loving this. There are 19 tunes on this one…this review would probably read more like a tiny research paper if I went into intricate detail about everything. At any rate, Magnetic Mountain is something you ought to listen to yourself rather than reading me describe what it is like to listen to. The other thing that is especially noteworthy is that these are dudes who know what they are doing. This record is almost a continuation or a confirmation of their legacies in those other bands which I’d argue puts a cherry on top of a ‘Memphis sound’ that they cultishly created. I will list some other weirdo gems that are approximately outstanding (this is tough!): “Principes of Kimberly,” “Magnetic Mountain,” “Violent Appetites,” “Come Alone,” and the finisher “1000 Yrs”. This will be your new favorite musical discovery!

Art, Film, Honorary KLAYMERS, Jay Reatard, Music, News, pictures, Punk

Better Than Something Jay Reatard Out On DVD W/ Bonus LP!

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YESSSS! This is very exciting news for KLYAM and Jay Reatard fans worldwide! On December 18 Factory 25 will be releasing the Jay Reatard documentary Better Than Something along with a bonus LP and/or book! I’m smelling a Christmas present…

For more info: http://pitchfork.com/news/48181-jay-reatard-documentary-coming-to-dvd-with-extra-footage-lp-of-unreleased-tracks-book/

The Kids attended the Boston screening of Better Than Something and a review can be read here: https://klyam.com/2012/09/03/film-review-better-than-something-2011/

King Khan, Music, Saba Lou

King Khan’s Daughter Saba Lou’s 7″ On Hunx’s Wacky Wacko

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Saba Lou’s second single Until The End is out now via Hunx (Seth Bogart) label Wacky Wacko. If I’ve counted correctly, it has been five years since the pre-teen released her impressive debut First Day of School 7″ (Die Slaughterhaus/Rob’s House), which featured her dad, good ole King Khan.

“Until The End” is streaming!

Art, concert review, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Music, New Highway Hymnal, Nice Guys, pictures, Punk, reviews, The Migs

Concert Review: Nice Guys, The Migs, Leamers, Creaturos, New Highway Hymnal @ Big Stink (10/6/12)

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Bands: Nice Guys, The Migs, The Leamers, Creaturos, The New Highway Hymnal
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2012
Venue: Big Stink (Allston, MA)
Comments: Preliminary Activities (For Terri!)- It’s about 8:30 or so when Glen and I reach our desired location. In classic Glen fashion he intentionally adds some wordplay when he inquires, “Is this the Big Pink?” “Big Stink,” replies Mig Keven Lareau. Awesome! Tis our first time entering the Big Stink and I am more than excited to experience an evening filled with five diverse, fun, and entertaining garage bands. The basement here is pretty sick, larger than most I’d say. Per usual, we arrive relatively early, before any of the bands have begun to play. Fortunately, there are plenty of charming characters roaming around this place. The first people we meet are Beef, Sam, and Ethan. Cool dudes! We then run into Matt from the Canadian band Leamers, whom we will witness in action in just  a few short hours! I am glad we have the chance to meet this fine young man, for he stands as a constant reassurance that the music I love is being made for the right reasons- FUN!!! We then have the pleasure of meeting Matt’s co-Canadian conspirators- twins, Rob and Peter of the noise band Shahman (http://shahman.bandcamp.com). Also great, fun loving dudes! As the night grows on we discuss everything from tour experiences to  the astonishingly lower price of liquor in the states to the life and times of G.G. Allin and his mother, and probably a bunch of other stuff I can’t remember.

Act I: Nice Guys– Nice guys finish last… not anymore sucka! These Nice Guys go on first and they are ever so nice. When I hear the first few chords I think of Minor Threat. They certainly have the energy; loud, fast, and straight to the point- don’t give a fuck. It is as if Minor Threat walked in on it’s girlfriend in bed with the first few Black Lips albums. If you are reading this that probably doesn’t make any sense. So, go out and see the band live OR better yet lay back on your worthless, lazy ass and click here on their bandcamp page: http://niceguys666.bandcamp.com/. Do iT! or else.  Why am I so angry?! Fuck if I know.

Act II: The Migs– Been listening to your Summer Tour Tapes kids? Why, I can’t think of anything better to do. Ahh Migs, would have been the perfect band for a high school prom circa 1965. The kids would dance their asses off and then trash the school, burn it to the ground. That’s the music of The Migs. In fact, would love to see The Migs play in front of a bunch of sixteen year olds and see how they react. Like a controlled experiment. Take away all of their little gadgets and just have The Migs play for them. The kids need an alternative or at least have options…  Anyway, at least they are driving (much older) kids crazy tonight and as soon as they play the crowd goes nuts. As with all Migs performances, it is interactive, physical, sweaty, and chock full of early to mid 60s garage/doo wop/soul flavored punk tunes. Tonight Migs members Keven (decked out in the red , white and blue,) Lukas, and Craig scream their hearts out and frolic and fuck about with the help of New Highway Hymnal’s Travis Hagan on drums- always great to see that guy bash away behind the kit!  The Migs are definitely making some of the best music I have heard as of late, but seeing them live is a MUST. These gentlemen truly are classic entertainers, fixated on making sure each and every person in the house is having a gay olde time. Perhaps my favorite moment of bedlam is when one of the basement’s pillars nearly collapses, leaving me with a fresh taste of wood dust in my mouth. Taste the rainbow with The Migs here: http://themigs.bandcamp.com/

Act III: Leamers– Our neighbors to the North, Leamers are up and ready to go, and after chatting with the band members earlier in the evening, I can’t wait to hear them play. Leamers are just as enthusiastic as the first two bands, if not more. The band consists of Matt on vocals and guitar; his singing reminds me of Lou Barlow’s vocals, and in general the band has a terrific knack for producing powerful garage-pop hooks. Oh and I can’t forget mon ami Martin on bass and Emily-Jayne on drums- both are outstanding. The crowd response is positive and I’m having a blast. Matt and crew are quite appreciative, and he thanks the audience for bouncing around and into each other! I’m still bouncing around now, rocking out to Year Of The Rabbit, check it out! http://leamers.bandcamp.com/album/year-of-the-rabbit Hope you guys (and Shahman too!)  continue to have a fun and gratifying tour!

Act IV: Creaturos– Creaturos, Green Churros, ahh why must you confuse me?! I’m already perplexed as is. Ehh well, confusion aside this band shares the same garage sensibilities as the first few acts and they are able to get the crowd moshing and dancing as well. Creaturos is a band I have heard about a number of times over the past few months or so, glad to finally see them in the flesh. Creaturos deliver a harsh brand of psychedelic pop that I’d wager appeals to the punk slimer in me that needs an extra ummph in his daily punk slime intake. Sort of akin to early, off the wall Ty Segall. Part noise, part garage,  semi-hardcore, all fun. At least that’s what I hear. What do you hear? http://creaturos.bandcamp.com/

Act V: The New Highway Hymnal– Damn, it’s been too long since I have seen these cats, what is even sadder is that we are only able to catch a few songs tonight, because we have to make the train home :(. A damn shame indeed. At least what we do see is solid as I expected. Next time, we will experience a full NHH set, until then we will have to rely on this little ditty: http://thenewhighwayhymnal.bandcamp.com/
P.S. GO TO NEW HIGHWAY HYMNAL’S ALBUM RELEASE SHOW FOR  WHISPERS ON OCTOBER 18 WITH EARTHQUAKE PARTY, INFINITY GIRL, AND RIBS!

Art, Honorary KLAYMERS, Music, News, pictures, Punk, Tours, Ty Segall

Ty Segall Announces 2012-2013 Tour Dates W/ Night Beats and Ex-Cult!

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So, if you weren’t already shitting your pants listening to the latest Ty Segall release Twins out on Drag City, then this news will surely result in  instant defecation.

Ty Segall 2012-13 Tour Dates:
10/14 – San Francisco, CA @ Treasure Island Festival
11/07 – London, UK @ The Garage
11/08 – Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institut
11/09 – Glasgow, UK @ Art School
11/10 – Athens, GR @ An Club
11/12 – Lyon, FR @ Clacson
11/13 – Amiens, FR @ La Lune des Pirates + K-Holes
11/14 – Rennes, FR @ L’Antipote
11/15 – Rouen, FR @ Le 106
11/16 – Metz, FR @ Les Trinitaires
11/17 – Besancon, FR @ La Rodia
11/18 – Bourg en Bresse, FR @ La Tannerie
11/19 – Milano, IT @ Low File
11/20 – Lausanne, CH @ Le Romandie
11/21 – Nïmes, FR @ La Paloma
11/22 – San Sebastian, ES @ Gazteszena
11/23 – La Roche Sur Yon, FR @ Le Fuzz’Yon
11/24 – Paris, FR @ BB Mix Fest
11/26 – Luxembourg City, LU @ Exit 07
11/27 – Kortrijk, BE @ DE Kreun
11/28 – Groningen, NL @ Vera Club
11/29 – Leipzig, DE @ UT Connewitz
11/30 – Brussels, BE @ Atelier 210
12/01 – Koln, DE @ Mini Fest
12/02 – Utrecht, NL @ Le Guess Who? Festival
12/11 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos #
12/12 – Vancouver, BC @ Waldorf #
12/13 – Portland, OR @ Star Theater #
12/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey #
01/23 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress *
01/24 – Marfa, TX @ Padre’s *
01/25 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk *
01/26 – Dallas, TX @ Sons of Hermann Hall *
01/27 – Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone *
01/28 – Nashville, TN @ The End *
01/29 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West *
01/30 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings Barcade *
01/31 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat *
02/01 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall *
02/05 – Montreal, QC @ Cabaret Du Mile End *
02/06 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Club *
02/09 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle *
02/10 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground *
02/11 – Denver, CO @ Hi Dive *

# = w/ Night Beats
* = w/ Ex Cult
– http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/10/ty-segall-announces-2013-tour-dates/

Damn, no Boston/ New England dates :( Maybe he’ll add some or perhaps we’ll just have to make the bi-annual trip to the big apple! In any case, we’ll keep y’all posted as usual.

CD Review, Music, reviews, Ty Segall

LP Review: “Twins” (Ty Segall)

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Release Date: 10-9-2012
Label: Drag City

Comments: There are a few ways to examine Twins, which amounts to be Ty Segall’s sixth solo album. One approach would be to first make note that this is the third musical project of 2012 that has the Ty Segall name slapped on it in some form. The other approach would ignore those releases and treat this as the follow-up to 2011’s Goodbye Bread. The former approach seems to work best with Twins. Without having Ty Segall Band’s Slaughterhouse in mind, I am pretty sure several people (whose last Ty listening experience is Goodbye Bread) would be confused with Twins – whoa, Ty became 90% incapacitating guitar riffs? Sure, Goodbye Bread featured some real jams – “You Make The Sun Fry,” “My Head Explodes,” to name two, and 2010’s Melted is full o’ fuzz, but the difference is that Twins does a significantly more noticeable attempt at getting to the heart of the song – fast and with little left to spare. Slaughterhouse did this exceptionally well and it does seem like Ty had some similar ideas in mind in the crafting of Twins. There’s that fuzz pedal and that guitar solo – which we heard about well before this release.

“Thank God For Sinners” is an an affirmation that Ty is going full throttle again. Then there’s the fastest song on the record, “You’re The Doctor,” with increasingly dynamite fuzz, layers of solo, and some drumming that must have reminded Ty of his old days pounding on the “Skin” recording. Fans of older Ty (which is weird to say given the man’s youth) might be even more receptive to “Inside Your Heart,” which has some piano, but some mid-song jamming that is just three words away from Slaughterhouse “Tell Me What’s Inside Your Heart.” The thing that I love about Ty is that he is not quite recycling old riffs and song structures – he is innovative. Like having Brigid Dawson sing on “The Hill” while a rampage is going on in the background. Twins poppiest moments at this point come on “Would You Be My Love.” The bass-line is killer and the general sludge that probably doesn’t only have me thinking Nirvana. Only on “Ghost” does Ty restrain himself from the kind of electric indulgence that is apparent on the previous five tracks. The result is mixed, but that is hardly a knock. “They Told Me Too” is the opposite sounding – Ty feasts himself on his effects pedals. “Love Fuzz” is another pop oriented tune – it would not be out of place before or after a Black Keys number on the radio. The fuzz comes in the form of a repetitive rhythm section, bolstering the onslaught of the lead near the end. I got to give a shout out to “Handglams” for going the extra distance. Ty had done a similar thing vocally/stylistically with “I Am With You” from Goodbye, but here he really cranks things up and departs from that nicey nicey entrance, adding some good stuff in there that we just haven’t really heard from the man. Acoustic guitar and no drums make up “Gold On The Shore” before Ty finishes things with “There Is No Tomorrow,” a mid-tempo closer.

With Twins, there is not as much cohesion in sound here as on Hair, Slaughterhouse, or maybe even any Ty release post-Lemons. Ty has reached new levels of sonic exploration, though, and it is abundantly clear that he can really do the heavy almost pseudo-metal stuff just as well as the slower tempo output. There are several tunes on Twins that are the most ‘this’ or the most ‘that’ in the grand scheme of Ty Segall. As I have expected on more than one occasion this year, I expect a broader crowd to be turned onto Ty.  It’s not like the stuff he did before 2012 did not lend itself to more ears, but his music is proving he is not a mere ‘garage wunderkind’ – which seems to be a pretty damn awesome thing to be in itself! It seems fairly fitting that NME [9 out of 10] and the like are giving their high praise – maybe they have not seen a dude like this since Alex Turner (who has name dropped Ty as someone whose stuff he is really into). But Turner can’t say he has released three fantastic albums in a seven month span. Nor can too many musicians at all.

Local Music, Music

The Legend of Lou Miami

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Lou Miami was a local legend in the Boston rock and roll community in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Lou and his band The Kozmetix never released an LP – just four singles and two EPs in their brief 4 year career. I remember digging up the Lou Miami and the Cosmetics EP about two years ago and being blown away. His Boston accent is the most recognizable component of the Lou Miami sound, but his songwriting and the band’s performance on these songs are top notch. In “Vehicle For Love” the drums take reign over the bopping bass and guitar drive while Lou “eye-eye-eye-eye”s to pop perfection. “Dancing With Death” mocks the bland commercialism of the day in an eclectic danceable, repetitive groove. Read through the YouTube comments on that video and it is clear how highly music fans thought of the man back in his day.

In an interview on local TV program 30 GO, Lou described his outlook on live performance:
“A lot of bands just stand there and play, which gets kind of boring. I think the audience wants to be entertained. They want to forget that they work in a factory…that that’s all they do forty hours a week. They want to go somewhere to scream and yell and go crazy. You have to be up there screaming, yelling, and going crazy to get them to do it too.”

The legend of Lou Miami lives on, check out his music if you have not!