Friday, October 30, 2009

Single: Sub Pop edition #7 Mudhoney / Sonic Youth - "Touch Me I'm Sick / Halloween"

This was the second single released for the singles club at Sub Pop. I wanted to post this as I was having a discussion about how awesome this is the other day and it's been on my mind. Plus, I guess its appropriate considering Halloween is tomorrow.

If you haven't heard it, the bands cover eachother's material and it sounds awesome. I think this is one of those singles that pretty much everyone will enjoy. Both bands add a personal flair to eachother's songs, but they're so well suited to play eachother's music that if you hadn't heard the originals first you would probably never guess they're covers. All in all this single is great - super dirty and fuzzed out.



1988

1. Touch Me I'm Sick (Sonic Youth)

2. Halloween (Mudhoney)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IMZD878V

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Tours: Mudhoney + the Jesus Lizard review

Well... i just got back from seeing the Jesus Lizard in Vancouver, BC. For anybody that has had the fortune of catching them on this tour, or anytime really - kudos to you. David Yow really still has it and the setlist was perfect. Seasick, 7 vs 8, Nub, Monkey Trick, Puss, Wheelchair Epidemic.... It was a crazy time and I didnt think it was possible but after seeing them I can say that I enjoy their music even more now.

I was struck with a wave of misfortune on the way back to Alberta, however. After getting bad directions, getting in a car accident and running out of gas my travel companions and I were stuck in the crazy metropolis that is McBride, BC for 3 days while waiting for car parts to be ready. Since there's really not much to do in that town we have done some major damage to ourselves and the motel room we stayed in for the past few days. I suppose all this is appropriate as a follow up to the Jesus Lizard.

Enough rambling though. I'm back and found some good news - Mudhoney is touring to Alberta! I'm definitly going to make both dates.

Here they are:

January 8th - Starlite Room Edmonton, AB
January 9th - the Warehouse Calgary, AB


Sunday, October 25, 2009

Live Recording: The Monkeywrench - ...And One Really Nervous Guy


released 2002

you've seen the bands mudhoney and gas huffer and lubricated goat mentioned here and there around this blog...

so what this is one of those "supergroups" made up of members of mudhoney (singer/guitarist mark arm and guitarist steve turner)...gas huffer (guitarist tom price)...poison 13 (guitarist tim kerr)...and lubricated goat (drummer martin bland)

music-wise...you should already know what these folks are throwing down (all you need to do is see mudhoney and gas huffer to figure that out)

this is a bootleg of a show they played over in the UK back in may of 2000 opening for pearl jam (eddie vedder makes an appearance during the opening number...and you know...i had never realized it before...but mark arm and mr. vedder kinda sorta sound alike)

1 - intro/judgement day
2 - 13 nights
3 - levitation*
4 - down here
5 - pusher
6 - sugarman
7 - look back
8 - weasel
9 - love in spite her
10 - the world turns
11 - daze of the phive

*=the 13th floor elevators cover

DL: ...and one really nervous guy

Album: Camp Climax For Girls - Ten Dollar Birds


released 2004

i saw these fellows from alton,il in concert back in 2004

i had never heard of them prior to the show (as i was originally going to see a band called the great redneck hope)...and they had kinda just gotten thrown onto the tour...and all i needed to do was see the band's name to know that i was gonna be in for a pretty sweet time (and i'd totally throw down cash money to watch a movie with that title...like you wouldn't)

so if you like yerself a little bit o' post-TRANSITIONAL SPEEDWAY LEAGUE clutch...the direction the melvins seem to be going into lately (sans second drummer and boredom...that's right...i said it)...some queens on the stone age...

sadly...the band split up back in 2005...and this was their only album

DL: ten dollar birds

Live Recording: High on Fire - 10.16.07 - Showplace Theatre - Buffalo,NY


now...i really shouldn't have to go into who high on fire is

but for those of you that don't really know who/what high on fire is...let me give you a tiny timeline:

lead singer/guitarist matt pike formed this band after his previous band (this little band called sleep) split up back in 1998 (but reformed for a few shows over in england as part of the all tomorrow's parties festival back in may of this year...his other 2 bandmates went onto form the band om)...and then later on down the line took in former melvins' bassist joe preston for a short time

and that's all you really need to know

consider yourself schooled

so if you like any of the above mentioned bands...or that whole "stoner rock" thing...or sweaty bikers...

1 - intro
2 - fury whip
3 - waste of tiamat
4 - eyes and teeth
5 - cometh down hessian
6 - death is this communion
7 - speedwolf
8 - rumors of war
9 - the face of oblivion
10 - turk
11 - cyclopean scape
12 - baghdad
13 - devilution

http://www.mediafire.com/?wyknmmg2nmn

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Album: Winters "Black Clouds in Twin Galaxies" 2007

Winters is a really eclectic band. They're pretty Sabbathy but keep the influence to an enjoyable emulation rather than a rip off. Actually, it's difficult to put into words... I would describe their sound as a kind of wierd Nirvana-meets-the-Melvins mash-up with a spacey, other worldly atmosphere. Sound strange enough for you? Listen to it and you'll see what I mean.
On a side note - it's kind of funny; i've been noticing a new wave of heavy rock bands that are spacier and sludgier than the preceeding "stoner" wave of bands and generally put a focus on elements and nature rather than drugs and psychedelia: Dead Meadow, Smoke, Night Horse, Witch, Black Mountain... Winters... and there are many more. I guess this is how the genre is evolving? Maybe I'm just behind on this trend? Any thoughts?

2007, Rise Above

1. Fried

2. Aftershown

3. Oh No

4. Endless Flight

5. Life Was So Simple

6. Mark My Word

7. Two Wrongs Make A Right

8. Destroyer

9. No Will

10. Did Me In

11. Black Clouds in Twin Galaxies

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UR87UQT5

Monday, October 19, 2009

News: "Chicken Switch" + bonus track

For those who aren't already in the know, "Chicken Switch", the highly anticipated Melvins remix album, has recently been released. There's a few really interesting tracks on there - definitly check it out if you're into that kind of thing.


Also, there's a free download for a bonus track by Hiro Noodles on http://www.melvins.com/. Just scroll to the bottom of the page.

That's all for now!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Single: Sub Pop edition #6 Tad / Pussy Galore "Damaged I / Damaged II"

This has to be one of the heaviest singles put out by Sub Pop. Tad! Pussy Galore! This single is greasy, angry and thoroughly exhausting. In the best way possible it will drain the life out of you. Definitly it a listen if you haven't heard it yet.


1989-06-01
1. Damaged I (Tad)
2. Damaged II (Pussy Galore)

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Album: Blue Cheer - "Vincebus Eruptum" 1968 ... RIP Dickie Peterson

"Dickie Peterson, the bassist/vocalist and founding member of BLUE CHEER, passed away Monday morning (October 12) at 5 a.m. in Germany. He was 61 years old. Peterson had reportedly been battling prostate and liver cancer, and according to BLUE CHEER`s message board, had developed a fatal infection following a surgical procedure to help alleviate his fight. "
(source: blabbermouth)

This is very sad news indeed. In memory of Dickie Peterson here is Blue Cheer's debut album "Vincebus Eruptum". I probably don't need to say anything more, as legendary as this album and Blue Cheer have come to be.

1968

1. Summertime Blues
2. Rock Me Baby
3. Doctor Please
4. Out of Focus
5. Parchment Farm
6. Second Time Around

Monday, October 12, 2009

Album: Blood Circus - "Primal Rock Therapy" 1992

It's not often that you can say the title of an album is self explanatory... except in this case it's true. The band's name also foreshadows what you're in for when you listen to this album, and does it quite well: this is a goddamn frantic circus of primal rock, but remains to be tight as can be and is thick with fuzzed out guitars, raspy vocals and tribal drums. What more could you ask for, really? This album was first released as a 5 song EP and later re-released in 1992 with more material.

Highlights of this album are... the whole thing. Listen to it front to back and enjoy the Primal Rock Therapy.

Sub Pop, 1992

1. Two Way Street

2. Six Foot Under

3. My Dad's Dead

4. Lime Green

5. Gnarly

6. Road to Hell

7. Part of the Crowd

8. White Dress

9. Green Room

10. Electric Johnny

11. Sea Chanty

12. Bloodman
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7LV8AJR9

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Ritual Room Compilation #2 Thanksgiving Edition

This weekend is Thanksgiving in Canada, so I thought I would compile some songs that are appropriate for the occasion. If you're from Canada, hopefully you're having a good long weekend. If you aren't then now your wildest dreams of celebrating Thanksgiving early can come true.. Minus the food.

Here you are:

1. Eat You Whole - Gas Huffer
2. The Man Who Drank Too Much - Cosmic Psychos
3. Home Sick Home - Faith No More
4. Buzzard Luck - Five Horse Johnson
5. Green Meat Stew - Alice Donut
6. Thanks - Scott Reeder
7. Ripping Chicken Meat - Melvins/Fantomas
8. Cooking With Gas - Tad
9. Mouthful - Gas Huffer
10. Turk - High on Fire
11. White Trash Party - Afghan Whigs
12. Drinking For Two - Mudhoney

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ADXLVOHE

14" of Melvins


released 1990

released 1992


and yes...this is as dirty as it sounds

what you get here are 2 7"

and if you really need a description of who/what this melvins thing is...have you been in a coma?...been living in a bomb shelter?...do you not like music?

7" #1 is made up of 2 flipper covers ("love canal" and "someday")...the band was a duo on this album...buzz played the guitar/bass/vocals...dale played the drums

7" #2 is made up of a different (longer) version of the song "night goat" from the HOUDINI album and a cover of the pussy galore jam "adolescent wet dream"

really...you shouldn't have even had to read all of this to make up your mind as to whether or not you were going to download these

seriously...do you even like music?

DL: love canal/someday 7"
DL: night goat/adolescent wet dream 7"

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Some Tracks from the U-Men

Well, its a goddamn Sunday.. and I can't really think of anything better to listen to then the U-Men. They have a small discography which is unfortunate, yet it made it a lot less difficult for me to choose a few of my favorite tracks. I doubt they need any more introduction, but the U-Men are really the epitome of raving, schitzophrenic, primal, bluesy punk-rock. I guess they were considered legends in Seattle for a reason. They're insane and pretty much everything they've released is awesome. Like I said, this is just a handful of my favorite tracks.

1. Gila
2. Shoot Em Down
3. They
4. Bad Little Woman
5. That's Wild About Jack
6. Dig It a Hole
7. Solid Action

Album: Greg Dulli - "Amber Headlights" 2005

This album was recorded shortly after the Afghan Whigs split up, and I think it really sums up what Greg Dulli is all about. It's soulful, miserable, seductive, weighty... heavy with emotion and a bit of sarcasm. I've heard a lot of different things about this album - good and bad. Decide of it what you will, this is his first solo album and although i'm not going to say its top notch in terms of production and tight songwriting, its a really personal, powerful album that's worth listening to. Standout tracks to me are "Wicked" and "So Tight". 2005, Infernal Recordings
1. So Tight
2. Cigarettes
3. Domani
4. Early Today (And Later that Night)
5. Golden Boy
6. Black Swan
7. Pussywillow
8. Wicked
9. Get the Wheel

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J80DO00V

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Single: Sub Pop edition #5 Beat Happening - "Red Head Walking/Secret Picnic Spot"

Beat Happening's brand of alt pop has really grown on me: deep talk-vocals combined with ethereal instrumentals and childishly good storytelling lyrics. This single is a lot of fun. The first song is called "Red Head Walking" which was also on "The Grunge Years" compilation. The second one is called "Secret Picnic Spot". Enjoy.

released 1990-09-01
1. Red Head Walking

2. Secret Picnic Spot

Meet the New Guy(s)

How rude of me, i haven't yet introduced the new contributors to this blog... the first being ipecac! Or, if he doesn't mind me going past his alias.. Jeremy. If you're nice to him he might give you some drug laced candy or tell you stories about how he met the Melvins at a gas station way back when. For those of you who don't know I already contribute to his blog, Shiny Grey Monotone - so now our blogs are inbreeding. You should probably embrace this moment, as incestuous as it may be.

As for the next one, i won't lie.. this blog is about to get a lot more points for credibility: the newest contributor is no other than Daniel House. (Skin Yard, C/Z Records) What can i say other than its really appropriate to have an ex member of Skin Yard contributing to Ritual Room. Oh, and he's not too bad of a guy. And by not too bad i mean really great.

What an odd and awesome mix of people.

Thats all for now,

Cara

(For those that may be wondering about contributing, feel free to contact me if you're interested.)

Fist Sized Chunks - Welcome to the Ritual Room

It's a strange honor to have been invited to write for a blog whose title comes from a song that I co-wrote some 20 years ago. "Ritual Room" was the sixth song on Skin Yard's third album Fist Sized Chunks, an album that marked what was probably the darkest place in the bands history. The record is a thick murky mess of a record seething with anger and a subterranean tension, which for many makes it their favorite record from our schizophrenic output over the 6 1/2 years that we were active as a band.

The record was recorded during the spring and summer of 1989 after the tour that we less-than-affectionately refer to as the "Tour From Hell." Without going into detail, we spent the better part of that 50 day tour at each others throats, consistently on the verge of breaking up. Our van – in lock step with the rest of us – was barely holding together, blowing a head gasket in Tucson, overheating in the deep south on the way to a show in Florida, leaving us stranded in 95 degree weather for 8 hours with grease up to our shoulders, trying to find somebody who could fix it on a Sunday. At one point, our then-drummer Scott threatened to leave the tour midway, a decision that we were more than happy to allow him to do at that juncture. He stayed on, but by the end, we had effectively broken up, just barely keeping it together enough to record Fist Sized Chunks.

While it's still a difficult record for me to sit down with, it does manage to capture the ragged, chaotic and strangely inspired collective headspace of the band during that year. The playing was not our strongest, the production is probably the murkiest of all the Skin Yard records, the tempos are unsteady throughout, and yet the record somehow manages to channel an interesting mix of psychedelic and aggressive, two elements that were not often found together in the Grunge scene. The opening song, “Slow Runner” features Tom from The Accüsed and later of Gruntruck, while the first song on the second side (back from when albums were sequenced with two distinct sides in mind) “Gentle Collapse” features the wonderfully damaged "stylings" of Helios Creed.


The title, Fist Sized Chunks seems in retrospect to be the ideal title, each song a thick oily chunk of vitriol, darkly psychedelic, careening carelessly and dangerously close to the edge of...something.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Album: Soundgarden - Outshined 12" Promo



i wasn't actually able to find a cover for this...so you get to gaze upon the boys circa 1991

sigh

remember when chris cornell has his handsome locks?...and his matinee idol good looks?

and then he went on to front the band audioslave?

it's always good to be able to listen to this and think back "ah...remember when..."

what you get here is a promo from the BADMOTORFINGER album that was released in australia back in 1991 (the b-side is a song called "cold bitch")

and now what you need to do is go ahead and listen to the above mentioned album...take it all in...from ben shepherd's plodding basslines to matt cameron's unpredictable drumming to the epitome of grunge guitar playing of kim thayil to the almost cock rock vocals of chris cornell

sigh

DL: outshined promo