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.

LISTEN

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!

POSITIVE NOISE - TOTAL OUTPUT (2008)

Here's a little tapey-poo from a band doing currently unfashionable things. In fact, this foursome would probably balk at being publicized in such a manner. They've quietly amassed a discography that spans 17 songs in 14 minutes, and this tape collects it all in one place for you. Ex-I Object, political thrashy hardcore. Their enthusiasm for their craft is palpable, and their earnestness impossible to ignore. I recommend "Holy Shit" and "I Don't Fit In" as excellent starting points. Unfortunately, unlike the "No Hardcore" 7", this collection cuts out the opening skit of a drunk punk spanging for beer money.
LISTEN.

Also, the bassist Casey has a flat-out brilliant, seizure-inducing public access television show - http://caseyandrobby.tripod.com/

Space is deep

I was introduced to this phenomenal gem only the other evening. I've watched it a few times since and felt the need to post it for others to see. Weird, harsh, trippy animation from 1983. This is most definitely NOT SAFE FOR WORK. Besides, you probably wouldn't want to even try and take this in at work anyway. Get in a real cozy place and hunker down for some weirdness. You've been warned.

Enjoy!

Malice In Wonderland animated video.

THE FEEDERZ "Ever Feel Like Killing Your Boss?" LP (Flaming Banker, 1984)

Starting the piece of sandpaper affixed to the cover, you know you're in for some abrasive shit when you pick up the debut Feederz LP. The band called it "a product to destroy all other products!", and even if the back of my copy wasn't clearly damaged from being stored against another one, I'd be inclined to agree. The Feederz message, conveyed as well through the instrumentation and venemous vocals as well as the lyrics, is vehemently anti-consumerism. No need to rationalize, just "destroy what bores you on sight!" A punk masterpiece that kicks off with an Olivia Newton John cover.

Situationist tendencies, the drummer from the DKs, one of the most blasphemous songs ever recorded (which saw initial release on Alternative Tentacles' famous "Let Them Eat Jellybeans" comp), and a frontman named Frank Discussion who made ripples at Gilman by performing with a cadaverous cat and deceased dog affixed to his person? I'm sold, although I can't stand by some of the language on here. Broken Rekkids reished this a few years ago, along with the second LP and a (surprisingly decent) third, new LP by a reformed Feederz. They run the gambit from essential (this) to quite good. LISTEN.

THOMAS JEFFERSON SLAVE APARTMENTS - NEGATIVE GUEST LIST (Siltbreeze, 1994)

Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments' snide mania with pop formalities would seemingly fit nicely into today's noise rock niche. For that reason it is not surprising to find this band being mentioned more and more, finally earning their due after a mere 20 years in existence. After releasing a series of self and independently released singles and EPs (including the formidable "Negative Guest List" on the Silt Breeze label in 1994), Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments found themselves releasing their debut LP, "Bait and Switch" on Rick Rubin's American Recordings in 1995. Retrospectively this might seem like a peculiar fit, but keep in mind that American's mid-1990's output included releases by Flipper, Danzig, Love And Rockets, V.3, and select others.

That aforementioned snide mania is ever-present on "Bait and Switch" (see 'Is She Shy', 'RnR Hall of Fame', and 'Cyclotron'), as are those pop sensibilities that give Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments their timeless sound (see 'My Mysterious Death', 'Down To High Street', and 'You Can't Kill Stupid'). I could go on to describe the various nuances of other tracks, but quite frankly this record is too good for you to be wasting your time reading this while you could be listening instead. While some might have treated this album upon its release as a dollar bin throwaway, those in the know treat it as the classic album it truly is. And for those who have never listened, the decision is now yours to make.

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TOP TEN (too)

in no order

Eat Skull - Wild & Inside
Estrogen Highs - Tell It To Them
Hatred Surge - Deconstruct
Marked Men - Ghosts
Iron Age - The Sleeping Eye
Dinosaur Jr - Farm
Raekwon - OBFCLII
So Cow - s/t
Sonic Youth - The Eternal
Propagandhi - Supporting Caste

Honorable Mention: Shrinebuilder - s/t, Nodzzz - True To Life 7"