La Corde, Wet Illustrated, Tonstartssbandht
» It's all tantamount to getting fucked in the ass with a unicorn horn.
We've got a mixed bag of new filth here on TSC this week, all of which were generously sent to us by their respective bands and/or labels. So, seeing as they sent us these copies for free, make sure that, if you are interested in picking up what they're putting down, you search out and purchase copies so they can take their act on the road, or buy more weed, get a new bass rig or just more NES games.
We don our darkest black turtlenecks (Archer, anyone?) to herald the arrival of San Francisco's newest gaggle of gloom-rockers, La Corde and their Self-Titled EP, which has been self-released by the band. The bi-lingual amongst you (not us, we can barely write/speak English) will undoubtedly realize that their name is French for 'the rope', as in the type you use for a bank heist, public hanging or cub scout merit badge. On "Back in Salem", minor key guitars and trenchcoat-sporting synths give the deadpan vocals a bedrock to perch upon as the whole thing transmutes and goes Wipers-shaped, while on the flip, "Urban Burqua" uses a simple chord progressions and phrasing to proves this lot could well have been released on Rough Trade circa '81 (had they been born yet, that is). These guys are definitely playing in the same league as Hot Guts and Sex Church and we, for one, cannot wait to see what they have up their sleeves for the next release. Get at the band if you need one, because with only 300 hand-numbered copies in existence, it's unlikely to be long for this world.
The amount of bands spilling out of S.F. is almost unparalleled anywhere else on the planet, and as a contrast to our previous pick, burgeoning duo Wet Illustrated sound sprung from the grand Bay Area garage tradition on their debut outing, "Born Stoked b/w "Flying" on Corvette City. Produced by Tim Cohen of Fresh & Only's fame, these two play a rather straightforward brand of garage rock with just the slightest tinge of psych bubbling beneath their 4/4 beats and tattered guitars. "Born Stoked" is the most immediately satisfying, with a breezy riff and carefree melodies wafting through its jangly veneer. B-Side "Flying" is a bit more subdued, but still packs a punch with a grotty, mildly twangy guitar lick and nicely reverbed vocals. For his part, Cohen plays the production pretty straight, being careful not to heap too much studio trickery atop the songs' skeletal structures. A pair of sunshine-splattered tunes just in time for the official start of summer. A press of 300 copies in nice glue-pocket sleeves, available from the band as well as several local stores (aQuarius) and distros.
Wet Illustrated, "Born Stoked"
At the tail end of the parade this week we've got the confusingly monikered Tonstartssbandht and their Midnight Cobras 3-song EP on Psychic Handshake. Here we have the debut vinyl outing from this crew of Montreal/NYC psych-destroyers who all have done time in a host of other free-rock outfits, NADA and Totally Dad amongst them. "I'm a Welsh Souper" finds them dwelling hip-deep in reverb and amp murk, the claustrophobic psychedelic atmosphere making it feel as though the walls are closing in on you, as spastic trash can (maybe literally) drumming and FX-piledriven riffs send the whole thing caterwauling into another dimension. Tonstartssbandht truly sound like a group that's barely keeping it together, sonically-speaking, with a libidinous bottom end doing its best to keep the whole show from coming unhinged as broken guitars attempt to play Sabbath riffs only for them to end up sounding like Lightning Bolt instead. "Electric Dragon Sword" was probably recorded in a D&D lair with poor ventilation, posters of warlocks, demons and the odd busty damsel vining off the walls - it's all tantamount to getting fucked in the ass with a unicorn horn. This shit's not going to get you laid, but you'll be the baddest motherfucker at the hobby shop (well, maybe other than Fat Rob) for sure. Trade in your old Magic the Gathering cards and get this slab tuite suite.
Tonstartssbandht, "Electric Dragon Sword"
Ok, we're sorry we've been out galavanting lately and tardy with the updates. But we've been spending a bunch of time lately hovering in front of the turntable, so you can expect us back to normal here soon. After all, we signed up for this gig to chew gum and kick ass, and we're almost outta ass. See you at the next blowout party.
Posted on July 09, 2010
More on: the singles collection, la corde, wet illustrated, tonstartssbandht, fresh onlys
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