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Music Shit / New Zealand in 2014
« on: December 26, 2014, 01:20:05 PM »
Since:
Let me smuggle out what things of value I can from the fractured isles I squat upon. I guess this is a year-in-review of sorts. And for the first, soon to be nth, time: apologies for the unclear distinction between styles, and a gaping lack of ROCK FROM THE GARAGE ... NZ's too small for single sounds, and besides, I only ever had a carport at my place.
CHEATS - "FUNKY ASTHMATIC"
If this isn't 1-2-3-4 enough for you Termbrethren, it might at least be thrilling enough in the way of its self-awareness. L. Goodwin's kinda disturbing orgasm sounds during wank-solo in track 1 makes it pretty clear what's not to be taken 100% seriously (an understandable retreat after the exhausting depth of last year's "Come Back Here!"). If it sounds too slippery for you (I'm thinking 'Feel Flows', but maybe you're not), it might help to compare/contrast with something more tightly wound: Career girls is a highly recommended testament to Lawree's near-constant output as a self-producer, even when it gets to the point of sonic depravity. Who knew spreading oneself so thin could make for such nutcase music, eh? Well, I'm a BIG FAN of Brisbane nutcases Scrabbled, so it might be a good idea to listen to Cheats and them side-by-side as I've done plenty this month.
http://cheats.bandcamp.com
The title of Lawree's latest album bears resemblance to that of my second-favourite NZ band (the first is the Clean, who can and must be referenced in any writeup about NZ at ALL COSTS):
THE DANCE ASTHMATICS - 'LIQUID LUNCH'
While I was still hung up on 'Turbo Boston Crab', the DAs slipped out a new song called 'Liquid Lunch'. There's a live video of it floating around somewhere (ON MY PERSONAL BLOG) if you're interested. I put them in my pile-up of "good nz bands" here, too, if you're really into the context thing. There's no band I could recommend more for a mix of constant dynamism and machine-ish belligerence (I think this is the one band where even the vocals confirm that). The stylistic net has been cast wide, and so should your mind.
https://danceasthmatics.bandcamp.com/
Steve also sings in...
BNP - "AA BATTERIES"
Good to hear people have dug this band since my Termbo country-report back in the year's first half, so those interested will find this appealing. Stuff's still gruff, even if they're not playing shows these days. With morse-code beats and fractured structures, it's clear that this marks a more out-there excursion than the usual BnP stuff. Considerably less thwacky than the should-be classic "Welcome To Mediocrity", but the essence is still the same. "Everready! Double A batteries! Energizaaaah! Triple A batteries! Energizaaaaah!" The very smallest observation I can make is that it appears Steve hasn't gotten bored of weirdo VHS tapes, too, which is good.
https://thebnp.bandcamp.com/album/aa-batteries
BnP's first Auckland show in 2012 was with Ralph, both of whom played at the haunted ex-brothel I used to live at.
RALPH - "KILLER BUNS"
Two members of one of NZ's many (great) teenage (& accidental) No Wave bands, FATANGRYMAN, reconspired to create this thing earlier in the year. They're a couple years older now, but the energy's still there. Like BnP, they haven't played a show in a while, but at least this long-overdue release did come out in the end. I pointed out a few times that Jess looked like she could've had a cigar hanging out of her mouth when she played the drums -- that probably comes across in the recordings too, somehow. Take a handful of minutes out of your Very Committed Mac DeMarco Listening Schedule for this band.
http://ralphisralphing.bandcamp.com/
Ary played a show as part of Tall Dwarfs, too.
TALL DWARFS MOMENTARILY REGROUP
This is why you're all idiots for not living in New Zealand, you buffoons! You cowards! You slime! Ha ha ha ha! Had you been less of a bunch of jerks, you might've been witness to the great TD rejoining here in the world of the flesh. Chris Knox whizzed thru a Nothing set, too, which reaffirmed what's obvious for any fan of his: age and condition are nothing to the spiritually sure. Watch 'em play at the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPJCYZZwoCU
And then there was Stefan Neville on drums, whose Pumice track featured on this compilation:
DEEP N MEANINGFUL VOLUME 2
Oh good, I was looking for an opportunity to include a compilation with me on it. My friend Beth, who I only know as "Audio Foundation Beth" or "Beth from the Futurians", or even just "Beth", put together this catalogue of weirder stuff from NZ, though much of it consists of the older crowd with whom I'm sure many a Termbrother are familiar. Still, it got me into bands like The Biscuits -- I booked them (oh, Piece War too) to play at Team Ugly's final show and it's gotta be said that the best moment of 2014 for me was seeing these parent-aged punks treated like rockstars before a sudden surge of drunk 14 year olds who decided to show up. That took place at a venue called Audio Foundation -- same as the Dwarfs gig -- a place that regularly hosts bands I'd always suggest you keep track of.
http://deepmeaningful.bandcamp.com/album/deep-meaningful-volume-2
One of my favourite Kraus trax was on Deep N' Meaningful, and on the album below.
KRAUS - "INTERIOR CASTLE"
I usually prefer my nights at sports bars being forgotten, but the one memory I'm glad to have was seeing Pat Kraus slowly disassembling his guitar, string-by-string, as a way of finishing his set. Pretty sure that was the night a guy on the pokey machines got down on all limbs like an insect and started barking, too. Actually kinda suited.
https://monikerrecordsss.bandcamp.com/album/kraus-interior-castle
The first place I ever saw Kraus play was at FTP on New North Road, Auckland, some time in late 2013.
FTP - "FINAL TURNING PAGES" COMPILATION/ZINE
FTP was/is a humble art space that is due to end just as humbly in mid-January. This cassette release (w/ book) is an attempt by the inhabitants at preserving its memory, essentially recalling the variety of weirdos that graced the place. There are Sharpie Crows offshoots, weirdo Wellington anti-psychadelia, performance artist contributions, poetry-ish things, and etc. (Kraus is on there too.) If you're experimentally inclined, enjoy/endure it for time's sake.
https://ftp68nn.bandcamp.com/
Certain flatmates at the FTP space happen to play as part of my favourite sack o' weirdos:
GIRLS PISSING ON GIRLS PISSING - 'A FRAUD ABROAD'
Boy! The girls have done it again. My budding glee at hearing these esteemed Pagans try pop was quickly paved over by a larger enthusiasm when I heard early mixes of their next album: yep, rainbows and saxophones are on the way from GPOGP in 2015. I know I'm being vague, but I'm also glad how kidding I'm not: their clanky din knows few boundaries, thank fucking Christ, because without their constant reminder we might just accept the boxed reality of this country. My christmas wish is that somebody makes this band famous, or at least allows their conversion into nostalgia upon death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl-FYmU4x6s
GPOGP initiator Casey Latimer once shared a dingy Victorian flat with the singer of the band below.
CIVIL UNION US TOUR
Their excellent Termbo tape-review confirms what became obvious to me for 30 days with these maniacs, and I suppose it's a testament to my bias that I could've found myself in an overturned tour van on up to seven separate occasions on their adventure. This month has been all about paying off my still-remaining debt for that trip, but when all is done I'll see you next summer when I return with Salad Boys to accrue some more. I'm sure there were plenty of good quotes that came out of this year, but I can't say that the words "if you drive this van, you will die" weren't striking at the time.
http://civilunion.bandcamp.com/
There is a "gf" of a Civil Union "bassist" in the below band:
LAS TETAS
Being a band from New Zealand -- which often means either too non-clued-in or too cheap, probably both -- a Soundcloud stream is the best/only mode of distribution available to Las Tetas. For what it's worth (that is, zero dollars), here are some recent uploads from the band. NOT NAMING NAMES, but dumb label negotiations have held up these guys from releasing their stuff, so here's hoping everyone involved just caves and lets Las Tetas be themselves: one of Auckland's franker bands when they want to be (and one of the sillier/lazier at other times). This video's a hint. And dang 'em, if those label hicks waste any more precious New Zealish time (famously ahead of the rest of the world, note), they might find the already-softening Las Tetas may have dissolved into a complete pile of sap by the time they release them. So take note of this if you're in Australia -- catch them play in Feb or offer to help book before it's too late. (I'm coming along! Befriend me!)
http://soundcloud.com/las-tetas/estrangers
As tenuous a link as this might be, Las Tetas' song 'You're Not Invited' does recall a certain government that nobody in any of these bands mentioned particularly wanted. That is:
THE THIRD TERM OF THE NATIONAL-LED NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT
Sadly, this is not the name of a band. The most contentious and headline-driven election campaign of our secluded nation-state starred a grudgy german millionaire, an amnesiac prime minister, a good selection of baffling ministerial candidates and an unconscious public. Despite low-flying poverty rates, damning int'l evidence of NZ spying, a dirty political tactics scandal, and numerous dodgy tethers that were cut by the National Party all too late, one thing was proven at the end of election night: middle New Zealand is *just fine* with the status quo, and the 'quo keep blaring their molten mix of easy-going hard blues-infused rock music to the somewhat stoked middle public. The Labour party, on the other hand, is a dying genre: having been dealt their worst blow since the 1920s, hope diminishes for any and all who care about human life and human productivity. Meanwhile, it seems that a distressing amount of non-voters (one million fucking people) just non-voted their way into a coma.
Everything will be just fine for everyone for whom everything has gone fine. Music-makers like all of the above will continue making music whether it's heard by the rest of the world or not... but only for as long as they can survive doing it.
But some retain their stubborn persistence -- former Sharpie Crows singer Sam Bradford, now Ron Gallipoli, listed this year some advice for those not yet destroyed:
Keep having fun, and don't be afraid to send us a tacky souvenir from your pre-revolutionary country.
Melted Ice Cream for more.
---
Update: I'm neglectful, but not inconsiderate. A few deserving extra-mentions...
HAMISH KILGOUR didn't bother to watch Civil Union at the Cake Shop show, but his album's fucking good! // As fun as it was breaking up a reputation-confirming fight between PIECE WAR and CHEATS at the aforementioned TEAM UGLY show, the PW album is funner! // I'm starting a zine next year, lemme know if you wanna help distro! // I am an attention seeking slob! // WET NURSES OF SODOM and DIANA TRIBUTE are the latest "arseless chaps" b'twn Sharp. Crows/Pissin' Girls friend-circle // POWERNAP if you can handle; you should // Found Sweat Tongue in a Soulseek user's "best of 2014" folder. This Netherlandish three played Audio Foundation a few months back, were lovely, hope they return // MIC founder/SALAD BOYS writer/DANCE ASTHMATICS thinker/T54 FN signee and all-round prolific man J. Sampson did yet another // These LA unknowns are being brought to NZ shores by yours falsely, tonight! I like 'em // A TEAM UGLY cassette and a TEAM UGLY video // Japan's KING BROTHERS (who you prob saw at Gonerfest) toured with NZ's DHDFDs (who you didn't see anywhere) in both countries; made my night on two occasions. They did an album together // GFRENZY takes cakes. Dunno where the album can be found but I vouch for it.
- Nobody worth a damn (or even a dang) in New Zealand can afford to press to vinyl for you nerds, and
- There are apparently people in this country that haven't learned how to hire a publicist (can you believe it!?),
Let me smuggle out what things of value I can from the fractured isles I squat upon. I guess this is a year-in-review of sorts. And for the first, soon to be nth, time: apologies for the unclear distinction between styles, and a gaping lack of ROCK FROM THE GARAGE ... NZ's too small for single sounds, and besides, I only ever had a carport at my place.
CHEATS - "FUNKY ASTHMATIC"
If this isn't 1-2-3-4 enough for you Termbrethren, it might at least be thrilling enough in the way of its self-awareness. L. Goodwin's kinda disturbing orgasm sounds during wank-solo in track 1 makes it pretty clear what's not to be taken 100% seriously (an understandable retreat after the exhausting depth of last year's "Come Back Here!"). If it sounds too slippery for you (I'm thinking 'Feel Flows', but maybe you're not), it might help to compare/contrast with something more tightly wound: Career girls is a highly recommended testament to Lawree's near-constant output as a self-producer, even when it gets to the point of sonic depravity. Who knew spreading oneself so thin could make for such nutcase music, eh? Well, I'm a BIG FAN of Brisbane nutcases Scrabbled, so it might be a good idea to listen to Cheats and them side-by-side as I've done plenty this month.
http://cheats.bandcamp.com
The title of Lawree's latest album bears resemblance to that of my second-favourite NZ band (the first is the Clean, who can and must be referenced in any writeup about NZ at ALL COSTS):
THE DANCE ASTHMATICS - 'LIQUID LUNCH'
While I was still hung up on 'Turbo Boston Crab', the DAs slipped out a new song called 'Liquid Lunch'. There's a live video of it floating around somewhere (ON MY PERSONAL BLOG) if you're interested. I put them in my pile-up of "good nz bands" here, too, if you're really into the context thing. There's no band I could recommend more for a mix of constant dynamism and machine-ish belligerence (I think this is the one band where even the vocals confirm that). The stylistic net has been cast wide, and so should your mind.
https://danceasthmatics.bandcamp.com/
Steve also sings in...
BNP - "AA BATTERIES"
Good to hear people have dug this band since my Termbo country-report back in the year's first half, so those interested will find this appealing. Stuff's still gruff, even if they're not playing shows these days. With morse-code beats and fractured structures, it's clear that this marks a more out-there excursion than the usual BnP stuff. Considerably less thwacky than the should-be classic "Welcome To Mediocrity", but the essence is still the same. "Everready! Double A batteries! Energizaaaah! Triple A batteries! Energizaaaaah!" The very smallest observation I can make is that it appears Steve hasn't gotten bored of weirdo VHS tapes, too, which is good.
https://thebnp.bandcamp.com/album/aa-batteries
BnP's first Auckland show in 2012 was with Ralph, both of whom played at the haunted ex-brothel I used to live at.
RALPH - "KILLER BUNS"
Two members of one of NZ's many (great) teenage (& accidental) No Wave bands, FATANGRYMAN, reconspired to create this thing earlier in the year. They're a couple years older now, but the energy's still there. Like BnP, they haven't played a show in a while, but at least this long-overdue release did come out in the end. I pointed out a few times that Jess looked like she could've had a cigar hanging out of her mouth when she played the drums -- that probably comes across in the recordings too, somehow. Take a handful of minutes out of your Very Committed Mac DeMarco Listening Schedule for this band.
http://ralphisralphing.bandcamp.com/
Ary played a show as part of Tall Dwarfs, too.
TALL DWARFS MOMENTARILY REGROUP
This is why you're all idiots for not living in New Zealand, you buffoons! You cowards! You slime! Ha ha ha ha! Had you been less of a bunch of jerks, you might've been witness to the great TD rejoining here in the world of the flesh. Chris Knox whizzed thru a Nothing set, too, which reaffirmed what's obvious for any fan of his: age and condition are nothing to the spiritually sure. Watch 'em play at the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPJCYZZwoCU
And then there was Stefan Neville on drums, whose Pumice track featured on this compilation:
DEEP N MEANINGFUL VOLUME 2
Oh good, I was looking for an opportunity to include a compilation with me on it. My friend Beth, who I only know as "Audio Foundation Beth" or "Beth from the Futurians", or even just "Beth", put together this catalogue of weirder stuff from NZ, though much of it consists of the older crowd with whom I'm sure many a Termbrother are familiar. Still, it got me into bands like The Biscuits -- I booked them (oh, Piece War too) to play at Team Ugly's final show and it's gotta be said that the best moment of 2014 for me was seeing these parent-aged punks treated like rockstars before a sudden surge of drunk 14 year olds who decided to show up. That took place at a venue called Audio Foundation -- same as the Dwarfs gig -- a place that regularly hosts bands I'd always suggest you keep track of.
http://deepmeaningful.bandcamp.com/album/deep-meaningful-volume-2
One of my favourite Kraus trax was on Deep N' Meaningful, and on the album below.
KRAUS - "INTERIOR CASTLE"
I usually prefer my nights at sports bars being forgotten, but the one memory I'm glad to have was seeing Pat Kraus slowly disassembling his guitar, string-by-string, as a way of finishing his set. Pretty sure that was the night a guy on the pokey machines got down on all limbs like an insect and started barking, too. Actually kinda suited.
https://monikerrecordsss.bandcamp.com/album/kraus-interior-castle
The first place I ever saw Kraus play was at FTP on New North Road, Auckland, some time in late 2013.
FTP - "FINAL TURNING PAGES" COMPILATION/ZINE
FTP was/is a humble art space that is due to end just as humbly in mid-January. This cassette release (w/ book) is an attempt by the inhabitants at preserving its memory, essentially recalling the variety of weirdos that graced the place. There are Sharpie Crows offshoots, weirdo Wellington anti-psychadelia, performance artist contributions, poetry-ish things, and etc. (Kraus is on there too.) If you're experimentally inclined, enjoy/endure it for time's sake.
https://ftp68nn.bandcamp.com/
Certain flatmates at the FTP space happen to play as part of my favourite sack o' weirdos:
GIRLS PISSING ON GIRLS PISSING - 'A FRAUD ABROAD'
Boy! The girls have done it again. My budding glee at hearing these esteemed Pagans try pop was quickly paved over by a larger enthusiasm when I heard early mixes of their next album: yep, rainbows and saxophones are on the way from GPOGP in 2015. I know I'm being vague, but I'm also glad how kidding I'm not: their clanky din knows few boundaries, thank fucking Christ, because without their constant reminder we might just accept the boxed reality of this country. My christmas wish is that somebody makes this band famous, or at least allows their conversion into nostalgia upon death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl-FYmU4x6s
GPOGP initiator Casey Latimer once shared a dingy Victorian flat with the singer of the band below.
CIVIL UNION US TOUR
Their excellent Termbo tape-review confirms what became obvious to me for 30 days with these maniacs, and I suppose it's a testament to my bias that I could've found myself in an overturned tour van on up to seven separate occasions on their adventure. This month has been all about paying off my still-remaining debt for that trip, but when all is done I'll see you next summer when I return with Salad Boys to accrue some more. I'm sure there were plenty of good quotes that came out of this year, but I can't say that the words "if you drive this van, you will die" weren't striking at the time.
http://civilunion.bandcamp.com/
There is a "gf" of a Civil Union "bassist" in the below band:
LAS TETAS
Being a band from New Zealand -- which often means either too non-clued-in or too cheap, probably both -- a Soundcloud stream is the best/only mode of distribution available to Las Tetas. For what it's worth (that is, zero dollars), here are some recent uploads from the band. NOT NAMING NAMES, but dumb label negotiations have held up these guys from releasing their stuff, so here's hoping everyone involved just caves and lets Las Tetas be themselves: one of Auckland's franker bands when they want to be (and one of the sillier/lazier at other times). This video's a hint. And dang 'em, if those label hicks waste any more precious New Zealish time (famously ahead of the rest of the world, note), they might find the already-softening Las Tetas may have dissolved into a complete pile of sap by the time they release them. So take note of this if you're in Australia -- catch them play in Feb or offer to help book before it's too late. (I'm coming along! Befriend me!)
http://soundcloud.com/las-tetas/estrangers
As tenuous a link as this might be, Las Tetas' song 'You're Not Invited' does recall a certain government that nobody in any of these bands mentioned particularly wanted. That is:
THE THIRD TERM OF THE NATIONAL-LED NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT
Sadly, this is not the name of a band. The most contentious and headline-driven election campaign of our secluded nation-state starred a grudgy german millionaire, an amnesiac prime minister, a good selection of baffling ministerial candidates and an unconscious public. Despite low-flying poverty rates, damning int'l evidence of NZ spying, a dirty political tactics scandal, and numerous dodgy tethers that were cut by the National Party all too late, one thing was proven at the end of election night: middle New Zealand is *just fine* with the status quo, and the 'quo keep blaring their molten mix of easy-going hard blues-infused rock music to the somewhat stoked middle public. The Labour party, on the other hand, is a dying genre: having been dealt their worst blow since the 1920s, hope diminishes for any and all who care about human life and human productivity. Meanwhile, it seems that a distressing amount of non-voters (one million fucking people) just non-voted their way into a coma.
Everything will be just fine for everyone for whom everything has gone fine. Music-makers like all of the above will continue making music whether it's heard by the rest of the world or not... but only for as long as they can survive doing it.
But some retain their stubborn persistence -- former Sharpie Crows singer Sam Bradford, now Ron Gallipoli, listed this year some advice for those not yet destroyed:
Quote
RON GALLIPOLI'S ADVICE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
- Read a lot
- Talk a long walk
- Boredom is essential for your personal development. Good boredom is not doing anything, bad boredom is pointless distraction
- BE SPECIFIC
- Attempts to look or sound more 'authentic' will mark you out as a fraud
- Your instrument is never the problem (unless it's broken)
- Ironic nostalgia + retro shtick is too easy. Make an effort or get off the stage. As Chairman Mao said, "shit or get off the pot"
- Read a lot (more)
- Advertising is to genuine culture what a 12ft tapeworm is to your gut. Strictly for those without the talent + personal courage to be artistic
- Take a long holiday from American/British music
- Doing all the above will make you a more interesting person + hence a more interesting musician.
HAVE FUN LOVE, UNCLE RON
Keep having fun, and don't be afraid to send us a tacky souvenir from your pre-revolutionary country.
Melted Ice Cream for more.
---
Update: I'm neglectful, but not inconsiderate. A few deserving extra-mentions...
HAMISH KILGOUR didn't bother to watch Civil Union at the Cake Shop show, but his album's fucking good! // As fun as it was breaking up a reputation-confirming fight between PIECE WAR and CHEATS at the aforementioned TEAM UGLY show, the PW album is funner! // I'm starting a zine next year, lemme know if you wanna help distro! // I am an attention seeking slob! // WET NURSES OF SODOM and DIANA TRIBUTE are the latest "arseless chaps" b'twn Sharp. Crows/Pissin' Girls friend-circle // POWERNAP if you can handle; you should // Found Sweat Tongue in a Soulseek user's "best of 2014" folder. This Netherlandish three played Audio Foundation a few months back, were lovely, hope they return // MIC founder/SALAD BOYS writer/DANCE ASTHMATICS thinker/T54 FN signee and all-round prolific man J. Sampson did yet another // These LA unknowns are being brought to NZ shores by yours falsely, tonight! I like 'em // A TEAM UGLY cassette and a TEAM UGLY video // Japan's KING BROTHERS (who you prob saw at Gonerfest) toured with NZ's DHDFDs (who you didn't see anywhere) in both countries; made my night on two occasions. They did an album together // GFRENZY takes cakes. Dunno where the album can be found but I vouch for it.
