UNREQUITED HARD ON - DEMO (Self-Released, 2003)

What we have here is a brief demo from 2003 by a band of young Pennsylvanian upstarts who referred to themselves as "Unrequited Hard On". Shortly after this was recorded, the band decided to change their name to the much more radio-friendly moniker of Pissed Jeans. Perhaps you've stumbled across them in your travels.

At any rate, this batch of songs (including the tracks 'Ashamed of My Cum' and 'Throbbing Organ', which would later be re-recorded by Pissed Jeans) properly represents the band at an early crossroads, where their various musical appearances very prevalent, making for some confusing and jarring juxtapositions within. Sometimes utilizing quicker tempos never even imagined on later recordings, you can see a bit more of a punk/hardcore nod in conjunction with the obligatory Melvins/Jesus Lizard influences.

Another aspect of this demo that I find particularly enjoyable is the recording itself. The hissy, fuzzy, general crappiness of the recording suits the band well and it only makes me wish that there was an even fuzzier, hissier version of 'Shallow' floating around somewhere.

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FUTURE VIRGINS "EASIEST YEARS" EP (Plan-It-X South, 2009)

So I figure that with Kamikaze Tailspin out of the way and with the "weird hardcore" blog market officially cornered, it might behoove me to share some poppier sensations with you all. Since the first Future Virgins EP is one of the more-often-downloaded things around these parts, and all three of their instant classic EPs are on constant rotation around my house, I figured I'd do you a solid and throw the newest one up.

I previously made the claim that "Gravity" was the best thing this band has done. Not that I'm ever wrong about anything, but I might've been wrong. "Easiest Years" encapsulates five songs that are catchier than chlamydia, expanding upon previous themes of mortality and anti-Christianity while throwing some of their most biting couplets yet out there. The songs are a little bit less deranged are recorded better than previous efforts. but you'll find each one getting stuck in your head at different times. I go back and forth on what my favorite track is on here, but once all is said and done I don't think the closer "Radio Down" can be beaten. Check it out!