Hold tight, it’s a long one.
TRANZMITORS - Loads going on with the TRANZMITORS. First off, they are playing a few shows in Texas including the WILD WEEKEND POWERPOP festival along side THE BOYS, THE POINTED STICKS and many others. See their myspace for dates. Their new 12” EP will be available for sale at those shows and for those who pre-ordered, my copies are scheduled to arrive on the first week of September. In addition to this new 12”, a compilation 12” is getting close to completion and will include tracks from their now sold out singles and one excellent track which has not yet received the vinyl treatment. A CD format of both 12”s is also scheduled to come out later this year. In the meantime, here is the information for their new 12” which is available on limited colored vinyl.
TRANZMITORS 12” EP DY122
The return of Vancouver’s TRANZMITORS is here is the form of an exploding 4 track EP of powerpop excellence! These new tracks demonstrate an obvious progression from their extremely well-received 2007 album by delivering even catchier, more melodic, and tighter songs than previous releases. This EP includes three original and one fabulous cover of the Moondogs ‘Who’s Gonna tell Mary’. Superb song writing and killer production make this EP the TRANZMITORS best release to date. Featuring ex- and current members of The Smugglers, The New Town Animals and The Parallels, the power pop combo take their musical cues from bands like The Buzzcocks, The Undertones, the Boys and The Exploding Hearts.
available now:
TRANZMITORS 12” EP new on black and limited colored vinyl
TRANZMITORS bigger houses, broker homes 7”/digital
TRANZMITORS teenage tragedy 7”/digital
TRANZMITORS s/t LP/CD/digital on black and limited colored vinyl
http://www.myspace.com/thetranzmitors
TOTAL ABUSE - No the album is not yet available for pre-order but will be very shortly and yes there will be a limited edition. Just waiting on the final artwork which I expect in early September. In the meantime I will say this - the record is incredible. Here is a recent review from a profile interview done on TOTAL ABUSE
SKYSCRAPER #28 Total Abuse’s pungent blend of eighties thrash, grinding proto-grunge, and waves of both the new and no variety, distills every extreme punk subgenre of the last 30 years into a 25 minute barrage of shearing guitar noise and sonic annihilation.’
available now:
TOTAL ABUSE sex pig 7” black vinyl
TOTAL ABUSE demo 7” (via online store)
http://www.myspace.com/totalabuse
STATUES - Sudbury’s STATUES are slowly working on a new album and playing the odd show here and there. In the meantime, their recent TERMINAL BEDROOM CD has been receiving some really excellent reviews. Don’t believe me, here goes:
EXCLAIM August 2008 We’ve already expounded the virtues of these Sudbury natives (and at least one of the seven-inches that this CD release pulls together), but it’s worth doing again. These guys are making some of the best power pop in years, and they’re doing it with the kind of daring originality you rarely see in a band so married to genre eras (in this case, ’70s punk and ’80s power pop). If you missed the band’s tour-only double seven-inch set Crooked Fingers, Broken Hands — it would be pretty understandable, they were in Europe most of the time — this is a pretty crucial CD compilation. Powerful tracks like “Husbands and Wives” and “Adult Teeth” take up residence alongside G.G. Allin, Pointed Sticks and K-Tels covers, and the results just rule. Plus, there’s the new, unreleased “Save It,” which, surprise, surprise, is fantastic. Sudbury, who knew?
MRR September 2008 Bombs away ginger, I just hit the fuckin’ jackpot. I love this band. I ain’t gonna hide behind my many macho insecurities, and if Bruce Roehrs wasn’t right beside me, I’d cry. It’s that good. Taking everything I love about punk: unbridled energy, hooks by the dozen, melody that would put Simon and his mate Garfunkle to shame, some post-punk artiness, and tunes that would have the most avid anti-dancer grinding his moneymaker to a broken stump. THE ATTRACTIONS, THE KINKS, THE BUZZCOCKS, XTC, THE JAM all come leaping to mind. Eleven tracks of STATUES previously released singles, EPs, and what-nots, with one unreleased gem - do yourself a favor and go get this.
CHART Call me guilty of stereotyping, but this isn’t what I’d expect to hear from a Sudbury, Ont. band. This trio flawlessly capture the magic of late ’70s and early ’80s British punk and power pop while whipping through a dozen songs in just 20 minutes. “Distance/Duration” is jagged yet melodic, “No Time” has a chant-along chorus and they make GG Allin’s “Dead Or Alive” sound like The Buzzcocks. While you’d swear these guys are from across the Atlantic, they also pay tribute to Canada’s Pacific coast by covering early Vancouver punk/pop bands The Pointed Sticks on “You Must Be Crazy” and The K-Tels on “Where Are You?” Then there’s the obligatory Ramones acknowledgement with “Rocket To Russia.” I don’t know why I haven’t heard of Statues until now, but here’s my first contender for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize. Steve McLean
available now:
STATUES terminal bedroom CD/digital
STATUES same bodies 7”
http://www.myspace.com/statues
YOUNG OFFENDERS – The new single is out and absolutely rips. I still have copies of the limited colored vinyl for those interested.
Two new tracks from San Francisco’s YOUNG OFFENDERS. Their recent 7” on Parts Unknown was not only very well received by various magazines but also made numerous Maximum Rock N Roll staff picks for TOP TEN records of 2007. This new single offers two more tracks of well executed post-punk and power pop blend with loads of hooks and power – this band should be huge! Think the Adverts, early Gang of Four and Really Red.
MRR September 2008 On this, their third single, Uncle Doug Dawg (pronounced: Doog), two more bald dudes, and a burly ass pool skater bring the masses two more sickeningly infectious tunes of street-savvy pop bites to prove just how well they can repeatedly pen a catchy fuckin’ tune. Throw some EATER, some early 80’s mod revival, (good) power-pop, and some MARKED MEN in your ear, and you are left with a gel that sticks to your being like a rat in a glue trap. My only complaint: too short! Can’t wait for their next one.
available now:
YOUNG OFFENDERS small man big house 7” on black and limited colored vinyl
http://www.myspace.com/youngoffendersmusic
SUSPECT PARTS – New 7” out now! Featuring Justin Maurer from the CLOROX GIRLS / RED DONS and Chris Bell from the BRIEFS. While spending time in Europe, both came together and wrote two originals and a cover of ‘To Stone’ from THE TWO CHEQUES (1963, Louisiana). ‘Seventeen Television’ is the standout track and brings to mind a more anthemic punk version of the CLOROX GIRLS with Justin on both vocals and guitar duties. Limited editions available in three variations - black vinyl, blue vinyl and as a large hole 45rpm also.
MRR September 2008 This is the new band from exiled CLOROX GIRLS main man Justin Maurer. It’s no secret that Justin can write a pop song. Here he delivers two angst-y, energetic gems (reminiscent of THE ADVERTS as well as any number of late 70’s power pop acts), and a TWO CHEQUES cover positively dripping with 60’s reverb melancholy. It’s definitely a departure from the CLOROX GIRLS, and in a welcome direction. Any fan of that band should check this out, as should anyone who thought that the GIRLS were heading too far into pop punk territory. Great stuff.
available now:
SUSPECT PARTS 7” on black vinyl , colored vinyl and black vinyl with 45 centre blank labels
http://www.myspace.com/suspectparts
TRISTESS - HOG & LAG BLUES LP-This is TRISTESS 3rd vinyl output and easily their best to date. Actually, I would go as far as saying this is likely one of the top 5 best European records of the last five years, it is just that good. For those unfamiliar, TRISTESS features two members of THE REGULATIONS and E.T.A, and one member from THE VICIOUS and DS-13, and play straight forward punk rock heavily influenced by obscure late 70’s Swedish punk rock like THE INCEST BROTHERS, GLO, and KRIMINELLA GITARRER. Never heard of those bands? No worries because what it comes down to is the fact that TRISTESS play superbly catchy mid-tempo punk rock. Though I would not necessarily compare their sound to Denmark’s GORILLA ANGREB, they do share some similarities in the sense that they both play punk rock heavily rooted in the first wave of punk, sing in their native language, and both play it extremely well.
HOG & LAG BLUES is being released in Europe by NYVAG records and DERANGED taking on the centre of the universe - North America. Both pressings have different colored covers and vinyl and both are available for pre-order in the online store. Should have this out in early October.
available for PREORDER now:
TRISTESS hog & lag blues LP (both deranged and nyvag pressings)
http://www.myspace.com/tristessumea
THE IMPULSE INT’L - THE REAL KID b/w THE WORLD HATES ME 7”-Here we have the second single from NJ’s (by way of Florida) IMPULSE INT’L and it’s another power pop gem. As a comparison, the IMPULSE INT’L remind me of PAUL COLLINS BEAT’s ROCK N ROLL GIRL which pretty much means they play extremely catchy power pop . Their first single (also on DERANGED) received top notch reviews (see below) and this is more of the same brilliant sound. An album is now in the works and an EP on MUTANT POP records is expected any day now.
RAZORCAKE #45 Straight to the point, this is a great single. I mean a really great single! Both sides are absolute brilliance. Two songs that perfectly illustrate why singles rule. “Arm the Girls” and “Run and Hide” will make you feel completely alive. So catchy it’s unreal. Power pop done right. Sounds like something Bomp! would have released thirty years ago, and yet this is in the here and now, fresh and with a shelf life longer than a box of Twinkies.
MRR #301 Snappy, poppy, and as jumpy as a ‘77 punk on a pogo stick. Sharp bursts of the JAM mix in with that super rare power pop sound from the late 70’s that all the kids seem to be rubbing balls to nowadays. The tunes will stick - you’ll be singing these ones all the way to the dole office and back. If you’ve been digging the TRANZMITORS GENTELMEAN JESSE, STATUES and all the other new breed of punked up mods then you’ll absolutely love this. Another winner from the label you all love to hate… get over it.
JERSEY BEAT Hitting with the same kinetic hyperactivity of Peter and the Test-Tube Babies’ classic “Banned from the Pubs”, “Arm the Girls” is a track designed for those who loved punk’s earliest, most pure elements. I loved the energy and enthusiasm here, and any song that ahs the lyrics, “We had alcohol, I spent the night in her room” is fine by me! The B-side is similar in nature to its counterpart, with a pure 60’s rock sound that would make the members of the Dave Clark Five smile. The pounding, rhythmic force of “Run and Hide” was a shot of pure sugar. The chorus, partly due to its simplicity and partly due to its hook, will not leave your brain for days. Go get this!
RAZORCAKE This New Jersey trio is comprised of ex-members of pop punk darlings Dirt Bike Annie…competent, catchy, jangly power pop…Musically, I’d toss it somewhere between the Mick-fronted Clash songs and any number of the essential ‘70s power pop bands…Fun and dance-y..
available now:
THE IMPULSE INT’L the real kid/the world hates me 7” (preorder only)
THE IMPULSE INT’L arm the girls/run & hide 7”
http://www.myspace.com/theimpulsenyc
WHITE LUNG - MAGAZINES 7”-After a short hiatus while Mish (singer) spent part of 2007 in Europe, Vancouver’s WHITE LUNG return with their most triumphant 2nd 7” featuring three new tracks which pick up where their first 7” left off. For those who missed their amazing debut 7” on HOCKEY DAD records, I included some reviews below and as if you still can’t read the writing on the walls, well I’ll do my best here. Take 1 part BIKINI KILL and mix it to 1 part early UK post punk (like WIRE) and you get WHITE LUNG! With any luck we should see an album in 2009!
I am now accepting preorders on this little gem and yes limited colored vinyl is available!
DISCORDER Nov 2007 White Lung smack us upside the heard with their debut EP, and leave us dizzy with their post-punk snarl. Singer Mish’s sexy growl conjures up a young Jade Blade or Penelope Houston, while guitarist Natasha slices and chops her way through tracks like “Amy White Out”. Bassist Grady and Drummer Anne-Marie (also of the Riff Randells) lock in an airtight rhythm strike that makes listeners want to dance, particularly on the cut “Breaking Boxes”. Think of a perfect blend between Mika Miko and the Bags. These gals have hit the ground running and definitely impress.
EXCLAIM MAGAZINE Featuring members of the Riff Randells and the now-defunct Automatic Fancy, Vancouver’s White Lung combine the restlessness of Wipers-infused garage punk with a messy Kill Rock Stars aesthetic. Local Garbage, the band’s debut seven-inch, goes straight for the jugular, demonstrating the band’s ability to write classic-sounding punk songs with new ideas. “Local Garbage” fills the A-side with a plodding bass line that leaves room for the angular guitar and pissed-off vocals. “Breaking Boxes” starts the B-side with a more melodic approach, replete with infectious guitar work and a pulsing rhythm section. Finishing the record, “Amy White Out” builds off scraped guitar to create a song that’s both angular and memorable. By employing three unique ideas in such a short time, White Lung demonstrate their versatility and suggest big things to come with future releases.
STREETHAWK MAGAZINE It’s probably a major music writer faux pas to directly rip off the label write up when describing a record, but when it’s bang on, what are you going to do? The guy that put out this slab of vinyl describes White Lung as “Bikini Kill covering Wire at your favourite punk house,” and it’s hard to come up with something more accurate.
White Lung’s first release (outside of some home job cassettes) is characterized by instrumentation that takes Pink Flag’s economical riffage and injects a little more looseness into the proceedings, with singer, Mish, doing her best Kathleen Hanna over top of the din. It’s also worth noting – with no disrespect to Wire, because they’re awesome – that Colin Newman and his band of limey art school drop outs sort of sound like pansies. White Lung comes off as anything but.
Teaming the title track with “Amy White Out” and “Breaking Boxes” on the flipside, the only drawback to this “debut” is that it’s a bit of a tease at a mere three songs long. With the band currently on hiatus (Mish is overseas until the New Year), sadly, this is all we’re going to get for a while too.
WIRE MAGAZINE 289 by Byron Coley Great Vancouver punk quartet that combines a sort of classic West Coast punk vocal sneer with early Riot Grrrl articulation and sheets of throbbing post-core guitar. At their best they sound like Bikini Kill doing a cover of Minor Threat’s cover of Wire’s “12XU”
TERMINAL BOREDOM Debut from this all-girl Vancouver four-piece, featruing ex-Riff Randells, but there’s little to no remnants of that band’s sound in White Lung.”Local Garbage” recalls classic LA-female-fronted punk, Avengers are the obvious comparison, but I think the VKTMS might be a more apt touchstone, particlularly on the vox. Sounds great and angrier than recent Euro-clones of this style like The Vicious or Gorilla Angreb. B-Side has two more, one tense and rhythmic blast of punk with a quite killer and really rousing guitar sound (”Breaking Boxes”) and one post-punker, with a slight nod in the direction Mika Miko are looking in and a dash of Bikini Killy brashness. Great scraped-guitar action too. Whatever it is The Coathangers are doing wrong, White Lung are doing right.
RAZORCAKE #41 These Canadian Ladies know exactly what they’re doing: taking all that great proto-wave, punk-before-mass herding, punk-before-”disco ain’t so bad!”, before-the-fall tracks of Wire (Pink Flag), Gang of Four (Entertainment!), and the Avengers (self titled), picked up a Kathleen Hannah cabinet and microphone along the way (circa Reject All American), leapt over the last decade while steering clear of any pop punk or rock’n'roll, and reconfigured the pieces to an old jigsaw with no missing pieces. That’s much harder than it sounds, and I’m enjoying this 7″ quite a bit. Nice surprise.
available for PREORDER now:
WHITE LUNG magazines 7”/digital (limited colored vinyl available)
WHITE LUNG local garbage 7” (hockey dad records via online store)
V/A EMERGENCY ROOM LP (nominal records via online store)
http://www.myspace.com/whitelungwhitelung
VANCOUVER - After what appears to be over two decades of hibernation, the great beast that was once Vancouver’s striving punk scene has finally come out of to feed. The TRANZMITORS, VANCOUGAR, and now WHITE LUNG, VAPID, DEFEKTORS, MUTATORS, TWIN CRYSTALS, BLINES and others in infancy stage. NOMINAL, HOCKEY DAD, and GROTESQUE MODERN records have or are in the process of releasing some pretty stand out releases documenting this new wave of bands and I’ll do my best to keep these releases in stock. Both DEFEKTORS 7”s are absolutely necessary as is the VAPID 7”.
available now:
DEFEKTORS 7”
MUTATORS LP
VAPID 7”
V/A EMERGENCY ROOM LP
WHITE LUNG local garbage 7”
http://www.myspace.com/recordsnominal
http://www.myspace.com/grotesquemodern
http://www.myspace.com/hockeydadrecords
PS, I am looking for HELLACOPTERS by the grace of god LP and REIGNING SOUND break up break down LP.
