Category Archives: pictures

Concert Review: The Migs, Nice Guys, Cult Fluorescent, Slimers, Chillcity Icon @ Wilder Zangcraft (11/24/12)


YEAHHHH
Bands: The Migs, Nice Guys, Cult Fluorescent, Slimers, Chillcity Icon
Date: Saturday, November 24, 2012
Venue: Wilder Zangcraft (Lowell, MA)

Act I: Chillcity Icon – The chillest of city icons, Travis and Kevin are two good heads you can find around the city of Lowell and tonight’s first band. I don’t even know where to begin here: my description will not even come close to doing justice to their performance, you just have to see it for yourself.  But, what the hey, since this is a “review,” I’ll throw in some of my thoughts and reactions. Well, firstly, you have to know about the visual: there’s a table in the middle of Travis and Kevin and upon this table are various objects such as a big bicycle wheel, which the drummers (ohh yeah, I forgot to mention they are both sick drummers) use to get some zounds with their drumsticks. There’s plenty of electronics as well. You could say this is a noise affair, I’m going to say that, despite its quiet, mellow charm. I can’t say that I could watch this over and over again, but for someone that typically doesn’t like 80-90% of music that doesn’t contain immediate pop hooks, I honestly walk away impressed. During the set, I find myself locked in a trance, rarely able to escape it, and that, my friends, usually never happens. It’s cool to watch a performance every now and then that defies the conventional, song begins, songs ends, everyone claps for approval, song begins, song ends, etc. Instead this experience is akin to one colossal vomit session – just hurling out the music until it’s over, feels fresh.  I also really dig how there’s complete silence (or no spoken words) from the two performers until the end when they wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Well, after Chillcity Icon, I feel stuffed for sure.

Act II: Slimers– Some slimy punkers right here – Migs/Mmoss men Keven and Lukas in a two man musical attack on all the senses. The pair are decked out in matching army jackets, it looks like they are fresh off a hunting trip, ahh these two fine lads couldn’t hurt a fly, or could they? They take it all out on their drums and guitars, with Keven shouting vocals and slamming away on the drums and Lukas up front strumming thee olde 12 string and screaming his pipes off as well. If you dig Migs, you will probably be down with Slimers, they have that gah ridge feel like Migs, but the songs are stripped down and a bit more intimate. These fellas know the meaning of punk slime (they ought to, being Silmers), which is great because I have no idea what the fuck that means. Little help? Here’s my grandmother’s favorite Slimers stain, “Spaghetti Ann,” when the band was briefly known as Heroin Mom, ahh those were the days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XOdRrox28ew

Act III: Cult Fluorescent– Saw this motherfucker last February at the Dirty Douglas, alongside New Highway Hymnal, Big Mess, and Dirty Virgins. Easily one of the most memorable sets all year. Now Now, you may be thinking that that is some cheesy stock line and granted the syntax and lack of more enticing adjectives may make it appear as so. Let me assure you that’s the truth and several AIM chat convos w/ Gangbang Gordon have occurred since then discussing that very performance; yep we still use AIM, cuz Facebook chat just doesn’t feel right. Why have nostalgia when you could just constantly relive your life experiences over and over again? Well, I’d certainly love to relive that show experience again, and in a way I can and so can you, here take a gander: https://klyam.com/2012/03/13/concert-review-new-highway-hymnal-lowell-7-release-show-dirty-douglas-21712/ Back then he was known as Between Tall Saints and Sinners, and now Brad is back as Cult Fluorescent. Just like last time, he is a unique performer, simultaneously permeating chaotic, yet gentle vibes. This time around, the songs seem more accessible, but still retain the same atmospheric, dreamlike quality I felt before. [My memory is a bit fuzzy, longgg week, then and now] Brad Cult Fluorescent concludes his set by slamming his keyboards to the floor and removing his shirt (or some variation of that, use your imagination). Do something for good once in your useless, moronic life and like him on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CultFluorescent?fref=ts

Act IV: Nice Guys– Holy smokes! Batman, we’re at Act IV!!! NICE GUYS!!! Throw your panties in the air, these upstanding gentlemen deserve it. Nice Guys are the Nice Whips tonight, because they play a set full of Coachwhips covers. Y’all know Coachwhips, right? Well, if you don’t check out a fun video of them playing at a Boston basement in 2004, right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcgwMO23obA  Nice Guy Matt Garlick was nice enough to post this vid on the event page, what a nice guy! I myself am not too familiar with The Coachwhips, though I know them because of the John Dwyer/Oh Sees connection. I’ve been listening to them a little bit now and they are pretty sick (with Dwyer on board, how couldn’t they be?), so seeing a solid band like Nice Guys cover the Coachwhips is an absolute pleasure. My fellow KLYAMER Glen is a big Coachwhips fan and so he’s as hard as Chinese arithmetic during this set. We both agree the guys’ version of “You Gonna Get It” is a stand out (listen to the OG here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99w92KScdac). This is definitely the most rocking, pumped up set so far and some moshing ignites during their performance, leading up the explosion of The Migs, the fifth and final act. Got some links for ya to gobble up as a post Thanksgiving Dinner dinner,  be thankful for all these KLYAM bands or I should say KLYAM beloved bands.  http://niceguys666.bandcamp.com/ http://www.facebook.com/niceguys666?fref=ts

Act V: The Migs
“”I’ve seen The Migs six times my boy, six glorious times. Magic really.”
“Mister, I don’t even know who you are.”
Manager walks over…
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave Chuck E. Cheese immediately.”
Ahh fuck em. No, that didn’t happen. But, I have seen The Migs six times and it’s been like Christmas morning each time. And I’m not just saying that to suck their dicks, if I wanted to suck a dick, I could just lean forward and break my neck performing a little bit of the old autofellatio (hey, that’s a word don’t give me that red squiggle line WordPress!), okay I just looked it up, I guess it’s two words. Auto Fellatio or could be combined as Auto-Fellatio. I learned something today. Haha, I love that word fellatio; its meaning aside, I always thought Bill Shakespeare should have named one of his characters, fellatio. Prince Fellatio. Ohhh well, I’ve dived into yet another digression, “I get so lost inside the rooms inside my mind.” MIGS! That’s where we were heading before all this blowjob business reared its ugly shaft into my review! Goddamn, I’ve been listening to way too much Hunx. Speaking of Hunx, y’all like a sweaty, slimy rock ‘n’ roll set? Migs deliver it. Better than ever, for real, in my experience anyway. The audience reaction and/or participation is top notch as well. The moshing continues and never really stops, not even for a breather. Kids are just bashing around to all the classics, “Follow Me Home,” “You & Me,” “Fuzzy Son,” and more. “Fuzzy'”with its waves catchin’, bird doggin’ appeal particularly captures the ears of one Gangbang Gordon. As I mentioned before, best/funnest Migs show I’ve experienced: pants fall down, shirts fly off, and Keven (in classic Migs fashion) bolts into the crowd with his gee tar, as relentless as ever. They close the show with a cover of “Louie, Louie” (the greatest song of all time according to vocalist/guitarist Lukas), but they ask for a little help with the words. To quote Nice Guys, fuck if I know! My dad- Big Guy or Big G as he’s known in hip hop circles- the guy who’s dick would plop right up if he heard The Migs (read here under Migs section: https://klyam.com/2012/10/28/concert-review-sic-alps-fat-creeps-bent-shapes-the-migs-radio-102512/) he used to play in a band in the mid-late 60s known as The Pacers (before the Basketball team) and they would cover “Louie, Louie” at school dances. He told me as a kid that that was the “baddd song” “the song your principal didn’t want your band to play.” Tonight,  The Migs made it bad again, in a good way.
When all is said and done, Craig, my main man, hands me the set list without me even asking for it. He knows the routine by now. I have a set list fetish – any ladies out there share in this bizarre, quasi psychotic, sexual infatuation? KLYAMERS need love too. So yeah, Craig comes through with the set list, Craig knows best. That should be a show, Craig Knows Best on ABC Family. I’d watch it. That channel could use some subversion.

Set List:
“We’re The Migs”
“Follow Me Home”
“Gravestoned 666”
“When She Says My Name”
“You & Me”
“Pretty Ricky”
“Fuzzy Son”
“Take Take Take”
“Cosmo Nots”

LOOK NEW SHEEEET!!! http://soundcloud.com/the-migs/he-aint-so-great
AND
http://themigs.bandcamp.com/
and for fuck’s sake, here’s da fascist book page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Migs/114318615312674?fref=ts
Now, please put your goddamn wiener back in your pants son, before someone gets hurt!

Bradford Cox On The Big Screen!


Photo from Rolling Stone

That’s right, Bradford Cox, the man that appears beside fellow Ghetto Cross member Old King Cole Younger on my desktop will be slapping Hollywood upside the face in his feature role in the new film The Dallas Buyers Club. Bradford will be playing Jared Leto’s lover in this AIDS epidemic themed drama. For more info click here: http://pitchfork.com/news/48728-bradford-cox-to-play-jared-letos-lover-in-new-movie/

Concert Review: Fat Creeps, 28 Degrees Taurus, Secret Lover, Electric Street Queens @ PA’s Lounge (11/17/12)


Bands: 28 Degrees Taurus, Fat Creeps, Secret Lover, The Electric Street Queens
Date: Saturday, November 17, 2012
Venue: PA’s Lounge (Somerville, MA)


Act I: The Electric Street Queens– I have seen countless two pieces in my day, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a two piece consisting of two ladies. I’ve seen two dudes, one dude and one dudette, but never two dudettes. Electric Street Queens, where have you been all of my life?! Electric Street Queens is Melanie Bernier ( also of Fagettes- I admired her drumming in the past) on drums and vocals and Coco Roy on bass and vocals, so basically the greatest duo of all time. Simon & Garfunkel ain’t got shit on you! This is some real good shit, don’t walk away…. if I could hold a live LP from these gals in the palm of my hand, I’d be a happy man. But, for now I have to cherish the moment. And indeed it was a great moment. Like The Coathangers, but better and sassier. Simple, stripped down songs- very catchy, fun, playful/nasty sense of humor. I can relate to that, being a sick bastard myself. They don’t seem to take themselves too seriously, which is always refreshing to see. Like I said, funny songs about beefcakes and bruises, puke and scum, you know the usual Thanksgiving family dinner convo. There is also plenty of in between song banter, such as cracking jokes about diapers and other sexualized comments that I love to hear.  The band’s closer “Doncha Want To Work At The Brewery” is an amusing, macho, testosterone drippin’ anthem that demands the universal question stated in the title. During the song, Coco makes her way out to the crowd, rockin’ right up against KLYAM’s very own Glen! I’m sure he’s now looking for employment in one of our local breweries.

Set List (written on a brown paper lunch bag, no lunch though):
“Roadkill”
“She’s Gotta Bruise”
“Brew ha-ha”
“Beefcake”
“Puke”
“Molly Brown”
“Divorce Court”
“Scum”
“Brewery” (“Doncha Want To Work At The Brewery”)

Some links: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Electric-Street-Queens/454252407931289?fref=ts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoRyl_S9z-k&feature=relmfu


Act II
: Secret Lover–  The whole band sounds delightful, for lack of a better adjective, okay we’ll go with peachy keen, sure that works, I prefer that. Secret Lover sounds fairly dynamic, especially the lead vocalist. I enjoy watching her slither on and off stage, twirling the mike with ease. She has a loud, powerful voice that sounds familiar, but I can’t quite explain what or who it is. I recognize the last song they play, “Rubber.” It’s a catchy, little number and the backing vocals (“bahhh buppp bah bah bah”) are memorable.  Check out their music here: http://secretlover.bandcamp.com/


Act III
: Fat Creeps– This is my first time seeing the Fat Creeps at PA’s Lounge. YAYYY!!!!  Before this moment in time, I had to solely rely on You Tube videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkFImOf5kZI) Tonight, they switch things up by opening with what are in my opinion (and I can imagine others) their strongest songs “Nancy Drew” and “700 Parts”. These are tunes that typically fall towards the end of their sets, but I must say I like seeing them at the front of the set, starting the show on a solid note. In general, the sound is excellent, and much of this is a debt to PA’s sound system, but it’s not just that. I think this is simply one of the Creeps’ best shows, at least one of the best I’ve seen. I announce this 700 times on the ride home as Glen can testify. Okay Chris, settle down, have another Narragansett please. My favorite part of their performance is the transition from “Dad Weed” to “Daydreaming,”  it’s practically one big ass pop song, it’s continuous, one right into the next. Creeps stand outs, “Fooled” and “Secrets” and two new numbers “Go to the Party” and the cute, little instrumental closer “Back to School” round out the set. The latter can be seen below, shot by good old Bernie.

P.S. I can’t forget to mention that there is a brief “O-o-h Child” (Five Stairsteps) interlude at some point during their set. I’d love to hear a full fledged cover! Whenever I hear this song I think of the movie Over The Edge (1979), y’all know this flick? No? Know it.

http://fatcreeps.bandcamp.com/

Act III: 28 Degrees Taurus–  Our second two piece of the evening, 28 Degrees Taurus headlines tonight’s show. The band consists of  Karina Dacosta on drums and vocals and Jinsen Liu on guitar and vocals. They have a very atmospheric/pop song dynamic to them that I liken to that of No Age, and no not just because they are also a vocals/drums  and guitar duo. I mean there certainly is that element,  but the mellow, atmospheric  meets hard edge punk feel strikes me more. Glen hears this as well and makes a comparison to early Wavves, particularly the live show circa September 2009 when it was just Nathan Williams and Zach Hill in the band. I do not walk away with this impression as much, but I guess that’s because I wasn’t cool enough to catch that Wavves show way back when brah. Anyway, I dig the first few songs, but after a while they start to fade on me and I feel a little bored. Listening to their bandcamp page now, I feel less bored though and I enjoy some of their songs much more. Overall, the set just seems too long, but the band appears to be having a lot of fun and that’s all that matters. Not to mention, various attendees are intensely fascinated by their set. Lastly, I am just finding out now that this group has been active since 2005, which is pretty rad, what’s also rad is the fact that they list artists as diverse as The Carpenters to Lightning Bolt as influences on their facebook page. Right on!
Check out their bandcamp here, you can listen to a shit ton of releases from over the years: http://28degreestaurus.bandcamp.com/

Most of this review was written under the influence of Genesee, Busch Light, and The Cardigans’ “LoveFool” on repeat.

Fat History Month- “Yeayer”/ Live @ GG’s (3/18/10)


“SHYB put this sweet tart together. You can watch it on your TV, way bigger than youtube. Live shit, 20 songs in 74 minutes, snakes eating and backwards slomo clothed humps are some highlights. A nice way to while away a grey day.
In memory of Gay Gardens, a house that was a home to us many days in the last 5 years, here’s a kinda shitty set we played there one time way back in the hoary March of 2010. We’ll miss you big buddy. ”
-Fat History Month
1) Instirmentle
2) Ice Storm
3) Nature
4) Dino
5) Things I Enjoy
Listen here: http://fathistorymonth.bandcamp.com/album/yeayer

Also, here’s a link to their radio appearance on WMBR’s pipeline this past Tuesday (11/13/12): http://pipeline.wmbr.org/

Concert Review: Atlantic Thrills, Ravi Shavi, Nude Beach @ Firehouse (11/10/12)

Bands: Nude Beach, Atlantic Thrills, Ravi Shavi
Date: Saturday, November 10, 2012
Venue: Firehouse No. 13 (Providence, Rhode Island)
Comments:

Preliminary Activities– When I come home from a hard day’s work, I like to treat myself to three things: Pizza, Beer, and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Add a trip to Providence, RI to see one of my favorites, Atlantic Thrills and it’s like Thanksgiving Dinner came early this year. As we make our way into the city of Providence (which, by the way, I believe this is my first time in this city!) our stomachs are still a rumblin’ and the show doesn’t start for a good hour or so. What to do, what to do. Well,  thank  God (and also thank him for the sinners, since we got our boy Ty Segall’s Twins rollin’ on the radio) Caserta Pizzeria is nearby. Being a connoisseur of pizza myself, I am looking forward to this; I eat pizza 8-10 times a week, I need help. But, at least this is quality pizza, Glen himself heralds it as “New England’s best pizza.”  I’ll be the judge of that Mr. Maganzini. So, we get there, take our seats and when we finally ingest the Caserta Pizza, I concur with my co-conspirator on this matter. Damn, this shit is mouthwatering, and I have a Coors Light to wash it all down. I proclaim this to be a perfect moment, well not entirely perfect. I have satisfied 2/3 of the equation, with the only ingredient missing being my beloved rock ‘n’ roll. Off to Firehouse 13 we go! To give y’all a brief history lesson, this place in fact used to be a real firehouse. In general, I dig the architecture and lay out of this place. It reminds me of some of my favorite venues like the Middle East (downstairs) in Cambridge and the Space Gallery in Portland, Maine.  It’s a fairly large place- long floorboard leading up to an awesome stage. The surrounding walls are covered with unique,  awe inspiring portraits painted by people with mental disorders. And these portraits carry into the restrooms- where one cane see paintings of toilet seats around the walls! I appreciate these features in the Firehouse, gives the venue character that you most likely won’t find elsewhere.  Before the show starts, Glen and I chat it up with our buds in Atlantic Thrills and meet some new friendly folks as well, including the bartender, who is a sweetheart :) .


Act I
: Ravi Shavi– Ravi Shavi is hailed as Providence’s finest by one, Kelly Riley. Well sir, that’s the best damn introduction I could ever hear, let’s go for it!  I’d say the Atlantic Thrills (going on next) our Providence’s best, but I don’t know much about the Providence scene. Ravi definitely is a notable act though, and shares a similar aesthetic to the Thrills, and that is an allegiance to pure rock ‘n’ roll fun. Ravi frontman Rafay Rashid is a natural showman/entertainer/performer, call it what you want, he’s got it, and I get the feeling he’s had it for a while, perhaps even on the playground. He has this King Khan quality to him, except he’s all dressed up in a nice suit. It’s like Khan if it was the 1950s, highly sexualized music just squeezing to get outta those suits and spread some love, some evil, and most definitely some rock ‘n’ roll into some fresh, innocent teen blood. I hear a lot of Talking Heads, Clash, and Gentlemen Jesse and His Men. Hard hitting, catchy as fuck, power pop. Well done boys. http://ravishavi.bandcamp.com/


Act II: Atlantic Thrills!– Da Thrillz! It’s been way too long since I’ve seen these gentlemen, April, Fuck! I’m so pumped for the show, it’s glorious when these four dudes arrive on stage. Even more glorious than the pizza I devoured earlier. I see lots of “garage” bands, but the Thrillz seem to just get it  more than anyone else around this area. It’s always a blast with the Thrillz.  They establish a party atmosphere and simply go nuts without the help of the crowd. Though, there was some fine dancing on display as well. Thrillz just don’t give a fuck, they are going to rock out and have fun no matter what.  Of course, they bust out key songs such as “Acid Rain” and “Shotgun,” among other classics. This could be the finest Thrillz set I have experienced, full of all the ass kicking guitar riffs and maniacal howls one could ask for. Just plain fun above all. Spittin’ beer and hurlin’ Naragansett cans. The best thing about these guys is that they’re essentially just like you and me; there’s no divide between fan and musician- fuck all that uptight, pretentious bullshit that often comes with musicians.   The Thrillz are in their 30s, but they have more piss and vinegar in em’ than all the teens and twenty something rockers alike. One might think at first that they’re a typical, shitty bar band that plays to the same, boring, older crowd. Don’t be mistaken, it’s quite the opposite. I can’t think of another local act with as much party/fun loving spirit in em’ as the Thrillz. When we say punk slime on this site, they exemplify that. I can’t wait to see the Atlantic Thrills kill it in a packed basement in Lowell, Allston (or anywhere) filled with kids ready to let loose and go wild. Now, that would be a stellar way to close this review, but I can’t forget to note  the ending of the band’s performance. Just as it looks like the band is about to the depart, they kick into my favorite Thrillz song, the passionate ballad, “Foreign Lands,” which features guitarist Kelly Riley screaming his heart out on lead vocals. They then transition into their now famous cover of Los Saicos’ wild teen punk classic “Demolicion,” cementing their status as one of KLYAM’s top live bands.

If you dig Atlantic Thrills and Ravi Shavi (and you should), then get yer ass to this show on 11/29 @ the Parlour (Providence, RI) with Yankee Bang Bang and DJ Studs Jerkel. FB Event here: http://www.facebook.com/events/166856466792633/

And don’t forget to check out the Atlantic Thrills’ music here: http://www.reverbnation.com/atlanticthrills

Set List


Act III
: Nude Beach–  Brooklyn’s Nude Beach headline this amazing show, and they rock pretty damn hard, fitting very well with the first two acts. They are a bit overdressed tonight, what with clothes on and everything. Then again, this isn’t a beach. They close their sweet set with a cover of Foo Fighters’ early hit “Big Me,” one of my favorite FF songs, and Nude Beach does justice to the original.  Before tonight, I had never heard of these dudes, but after this performance I will definitely make sure I keep an eye out for them.  Send em’ some love: http://nudebeach.bandcamp.com/

NEW Cumstain- “Rollin Wrong”


Photo from Unpiano

Check out this new Cumstain song “Rollin Wrong” from the upcoming Cumstain/Fawn Sports 10″ split “Wedding Dress” on Bad Painting Records. This here is just a preview and tis a tasty one. You’ll be singing it in your sleep!

Listen here!:

Pick Up Maine Coons 7″ On Stencil Trash Records!


Maine Coons, one of KLYAM’s beloved bands and one of the finest punk slimers in existence, is releasing a 7″ on Stencil Trash Records! Pick it up here with the new Gremlins UK 7″ EP: http://spentplanet.bigcartel.com/product/maine-coons-lathe-cut-gremlins-uk-7

Tracklist:
1) Ghetto Queen
2) Uniform Choice
3) Tired and Inspired

Hot damn!

Read Excellent Article On Black Lips Middle East Tour & Documentary/Interview With Director Bill Cody


Photo: Crack Magazine

“After a last minute scramble to find a spot to play and some cautiously limited promotion, a low-key show ensued, which for me really revealed the non-commercial nature of the band that demonstrably stands in contrast with the band’s recent studio produced work alongside prodigious producer Mark Ronson.”- Crack Magazine

This is a fantastic point. The Black Lips (and all involved) really aren’t getting the recognition they deserve for organizing and completing this epic tour. It’s just another example of how they are a distinguished group among their contemporaries. Read the full article and interview with Bill Cody (tour documentary director): http://crackmagazine.net/music/black-lips-in-iraq/

ATP “Pardons” Black Lips


Getty Images
Ahh, it felt like just yesterday when we were reporting that the lips were considered “assholes” from the ATP camp. Actually, it feels like centuries ago, uhh, I don’t even know anymore. Now, they are back on the All Tomorrow’s Parties (ATP) festival line up during the weekend of June 21- 23 (thanks to Deerhunter), good for them! This year is looking hot, what with Deerhunter co-curating (with TV On The Radio) the festival and playing their three magnum opuses: Cryptograms, Microcastle, and Halcyon Digest each in their entirety. Holy smokes, Batman! And a Black Lips set too,  damn I wish I could go :( Donate money, help sponsor the KLYAM ATP trip!

Read about the official Black Lips “Pardoning” here:  http://www.spin.com/articles/the-black-lips-pardoned-atp-lineup

Here’s the line up (which is to include the Black Lips!)
All Tomorrow’s Parties: Weekend 2 
Curated By Deerhunter – June 21-23, 2013

Deerhunter (performing Cryptograms, Microcastle, Halcyon Digest)
Atlas Sound
Panda Bear
Avey Tare
Animal Collective DJs
Pere Ubu
Dan Deacon
Tim Gane
Laetitia Sadier
No Age
* Plus more to be announced
I want to make love to this line up. Get Nobunny, Hunx and His Punx, Ty Segall and Wavves on there and I go into cardiac arrest.