Tuesday, May 27, 2014

EYEHATEGOD Housecore Records

EYEHATEGOD
"EYEHATEGOD"
Housecore Records
Released: May 27, 2014


For your listening pleasure, please click play on the video below for the lead off track, "Agitation Propaganda!", from EYEHATEGOD's self titled 2014 release. The track, which is the shortest on the LP, is also the most furious. "Agitation Propaganda!" brings to mind early C.O.C. (tempo, hardcore/metal style and use of feedback as a lead) and Crucifix (pure hardcore insanity).   


With the hardcore explosion completed in the first track, EYEHATEGOD proceeds to get on with what they are more known for... New Orleans sludge, born of vintage Sabbath, evolved into something much more heinous. 


With hardcore, metal and stoner recordings becoming increasingly crispy and crunchy with their power and production, EYEHATEGOD (with the help of Philip H. Anselmo) refuse to clean up their feedback, distortion filled sludge. This isn't a precise and tidy metalcore record. The feedback is as hypnotic as is witnessed at their live shows, which is an amazing accomplishment to commit to vinyl. At times the feedback sound resembles controlled tones that weave in and out of the tracks riffs. At times, it is just hellish feedback. 

photo by Dean Karr

EYEHATEGOD specialize in music that is both aggressive and numbing at the same time. The combination dangerously resembles the soundtrack of the end result of pounding back a six pack and a bottle of whiskey (not recommended - listen to the record instead, no chance of death via vinyl) or maybe some combination of illegal substances (hypothetical guess). Filled with rage, yet physically incapable of moving, a lovely sort of violent paralysis. This EYEHATEGOD record ain't pretty, but it is undeniably beautiful. 

photo by Dean Karr.

I have been a fan of EYEHATEGOD for a very long time. I have been looking forward to May 27, 2014 for my purple and grey vinyl edition to arrive in the mail. For the record nerds: The first pressing is limited to 1600 copies and made available in the following color variations: black (600 copies), purple (300 copies), clear (400 copies), purple and grey (300 copies). 


I have been listening to an advance digital version of this record for about a month. I have been nothing less than fascinated with the album. I have the luxury of having many albums at my disposal, so rarely do I have an album that preoccupies an entire month of my listening. I have been obsessed. 


I had the pleasure of seeing EYEHATEGOD live at Jimmy's Place (now torn down) in Allentown in 2011. Follow this link to see the photos and write up. Very much looking forward to June 1, 2014 in Philly (along with Ringworm and Enabler - both bands having also released amazing LPs this year) at Underground Arts. 






Cheers,

Frank FOE




EYEHATEGOD Live Assaults 2014:

w/ Ringworm, Enabler:
5/28/2014 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
5/29/2014 Drunk Horse – Fayetteville, NC
5/30/2014 Chop Shop – Charlotte NC
5/31/2014 611 – Frederick, MD
6/01/2014 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA
6/02/2014 Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA
6/03/2014 Strange Matter – Richmond, VA
6/04/2014 American Legion Post 80 – Binghamton, NY
6/05/2014 Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA
6/06/2014 Even Flow – Long Island, NY
6/07/2014 Europa – Brooklyn, NY
6/08/2014 Basement Transmissions – Erie, PA
6/09/2014 Bug Jar – Rochester, NY
6/10/2014 Loving Touch – Detroit, MI
6/11/2014 Now That’s Class – Cleveland, OH
6/12/2014 Birdy’s – Indianapolis, IN
6/13/2014 Cobra Lounge – Chicago, IL
6/14/2014 Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
6/15/2014 Bottom End Bar – Appleton, WI
6/16/2014 Triple Rock – Minneapolis, MN
6/17/2014 Diamond Pub – Louisville, KY
6/18/2014 Fubar – St. Louis, MO
6/19/2014 Hi Tone – Memphis, TN
6/20/2014 Southport – New Orleans, LA
6/21/2014 Dollhouse – Savannah, GA
6/22/2014 Orpheum – Tampa, FL
6/23/2014 Looseys – Gainesville, FL
6/24/2014 Zydeco – Birmingham, AL
6/25/2014 The Handlebar – Pensacola, FL



Monday, May 26, 2014

Brian McGee "Ruin Creek"

Brian McGee
"Ruin Creek"
Square of Opposition
Released: May 2014

Brian McGee's third solo LP (you know, solo, as in not with Plow United), was recorded expertly by Bouncing Souls’ Pete Steinkopf. I won't claim to be an expert at alternative folk. Sure, I love old country (Johnny Cash, George Jones etc...) and loved the movie Big Easy Express (Mumford and Sons, Old Crow Medicine Show, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros), but beyond that, I know Brian McGee. 







"Ruin Creek" is mostly Brian and his guitar, the strength of the songwriting compliments the authentic, naked and pure execution on the songs. I am sure Brian wasn't naked in the studio, but the music is stripped down to the honest core and "naked" is the most appropriate word. Brian is baring his soul.


Brian's friend Mary Ellen Davis from Asheville NC, returns with some guest accompaniment vocals. Mary's vocals add a dimension to "It's Alright" and "Hand in Hand" that strengthens the impact beyond what the songs would have been without. The songs still would have been great without, but this is an example of McGee knowing when to add and when to remain true to the minimalist man and his guitar theme. 

300 marble grey vinyl 
100 black vinyl 
100 coke bottle clear vinyl

"A Little Space" is an example of Brian's storytelling ability. Adding some effected electricity to the guitar, the simplicity remains true, but adds support to the aggressive build up. A great song.

"Born in the Morning" is as close as Brian gets to providing a Plow United track. The man and his distorted guitar rips through a track that begs for Sean and Joel to jump in...


"Are You Gonna Wait for Someone To Die?" is about as stark as you are going to get. It is a bold thing to commit to a vocal only track. About as naked as you are going to get in recording. It works. It works well.


"Final Vow" is a emotionally triumphant song that sounds like it should be on a soundtrack to a movie. "Ruin Creek" is a prodigious album, start to finish.


Cheers,
Frank FOE


Saturday, May 24, 2014

Manbeast "Sore"

Manbeast
"Sore"
7" / download
Discontent / Vwyrd Wurd
Released: May 9, 2014



Head on over to Manbeast's bandcamp page and you will see the description:

tags: punk crust hardcore powerviolence Allentown


Head on over to Manbeast's fb page and you will see the description:

About: Friends playing hardcore.


Fourteen songs span this 7" in twelve minutes, with the title track "Sore" hogging up two minutes and ten seconds. Having the pleasure of being fully immersed in the international hardcore scene in the early 1980s, these are the kind of statistics that make me smile. 



While Manbeast's roots begin in the early 1980s hardcore scene (both US and international influences), their sound covers the following decades as well. The tags are correct, there are elements of crust and powerviolence in their furcht filled songs. I was going to say angst filled songs, but changed my mind to furcht.

In German, the technical terminology of psychology and philosophy distinguishes between Angst and Furcht in that Furcht is a negative anticipation regarding a concrete threat, while Angst is a non-directional and unmotivated emotion. 


With song titles like "You Can Only Handle So Much", "Hate","Life's Repetition", "Hermit Lifestyle", "Bully II", "Look Back and Feel Bad For Myself", "Harsh Realizations", "You Can't Manipulate Me" and "Daily Physical and Mental Abuse" it is blatantly obvious Manbeast have championed their craft.


Jamie Heim takes great pix. Find more Manbeast photos by Jamie at this link:

Manbeast @ Mothers 1-11-13      Manbeast @ The Burners 6-7-13

Luis - drums
Tyler - vocals
Eric - guitar/vocals

I hope to pick up a physical copy of this 7" May 31, 2014 when Manbeast opens for Urban Waste at Ratmilk in Kutztown PA. 

Friday, May 23, 2014

Doomed to Obscurity "One More War/Pipe Bomb" 7"

DOOMED TO OBSCURITY
"One More War / Pipe Bomb" 7"
Released: March 2014

If you have followed my blog and / or listened to Up To No Good Radio, then you know that I became a fan of Doomed To Obscurity at a legendary gig in Philly on July 21, 2012.


Doomed To Obscurity played a gig with US Chaos, Viletones, Revilers and Missile Toads at the Kung Fu Necktie and it was a one of those shows I will never forget. Read about it here. 


I have been listening to the songs on this 7" for the last two years as a part of the original (and also mandatory) CD. 

doomed to obscurity t shirt

Lucky for us, these two tracks are now available in the preferred vinyl format, complete with the following:

Hand screen printed by Awesome Dudes Printing
2 color screen printed record cover with florescent lime ink on 100# speckle tone madero beach french acid free paper

Limited Edition of 150 with 2 signed and numbered hand silk screened art prints inside by Dave Glass (Doomed To Obscurity drummer and artist) and Bill McRight. 

Cover art collaboration Dave Glass and graffiti writer RUEN tagging the trains in the background.
Signed and numbered by the artists.




As you can hear, "Pipe Bomb" proves Doomed To Obscurity continues the proud Philly punk rock tradition. While they may not sound exactly like Decontrol, I love this band as much as I loved Philly's Decontrol way back when...


PIPE BOMB ( lyrics Billy Garvey Music Doomed To Obscurity )

I’M STUCK IN WIRES AND UNDER FEET
NO PLAN FOR ACTION MAN
TERRORIZE THE STREETS
I’M DONE WITH SPEECHES
I’M OUT OF LINES
NO ACT OF PUNISHMENT IS APT TO BE A ROCKET
AN ACRIMONIOUS STING TOILS IN MY POCKET

I’M LOCKED UP IN A HOOD
I’M LOCKED UP IN A HOOD

I GOT A PIPE BOMB
SHE’S A SERVANT OF THE WAR
IT’S FILLED WITH RAZORS
AND SHE’LL F*CK YOU LIKE A WHORE
NOBODY LIKES HER
BUT MAN SHE DOES ME GOOD
I GOT A PIPE BOMB
A BIT MISUNDERSTOOD

I’M ON A HOLIDAY FROM ONE PERCENT
TOO LOW TO THROW IT IN
TOO TIRED TO CHASE A CARROT
YOU’RE JUST A SPEEDBUMP
IT’S SUCH A RUSE
THROW ME A SHINY THING AND I WILL ACT AMAZED
TURN ON A TV RANT NOW TELL ME WHAT TO THINK

I’M LOCKED UP IN A HOOD
I’M LOCKED UP IN A HOOD

I GOT A PIPE BOMB
SHE’S A SERVANT OF THE WAR
IT’S FILLED WITH RAZORS
AND SHE’LL F*CK YOU LIKE A WHORE
NOBODY LIKES HER
BUT MAN SHE DOES ME GOOD
I GOT A PIPE BOMB
A BIT MISUNDERSTOOD

The video for Doomed To Obscurity's "Pipe Bomb" was correctly listed as one of the Philadelphia City Paper's videos of the year. Read about it here. Watch it below. The thing the Philadelphia City Paper didn't get right was the "pop" when they called Doomed To Obscurity a pop punk band. This is a hostile punk band.


"One More War" continues the Philthadelphia hostility and aggression. 



ONE MORE WAR ( lyrics Billy Garvey Music Doomed To Obscurity )

NOTHING TO TAKE
IN SHATTERED SUFFRAGE
NO TIES TO TOWING A LINE
THIS IS ASSAULT
CRACKS IN A PARADISE

FIRES AND LIARS TO BURN
ONE MORE WAR

A STUCK PIG
A SCHOOLED DICK
TONIGHT WE ARE ALIGNED
A FORFEIT OR LOSE IT
READY OR NOT

NO MISTAKE
NOT A SERVANT MAN
FALLEN KICKED TO THE GROUND
OH TO BATHE IN COMPLACENCY
ARE YOU READY FOR WAR

I THOUGHT WE COULD TALK A BIT
BUT IT SEEMS THAT NOW
YOU WANT MORE THAN ALL OF IT
CROSSING A LINE
I WANT MORE THAN YOU CAN GIVE
AND THAT’S MORE THAN NONE
AND IN A SPLIT OF DIFFERENCE
WE’RE READY TO FIGHT

UNDER THIS STATE
UNDER A STRANGLEHOLD
A NOWHERE ROAD
THIS IS YOUR FATE

F*CK THE STATE
F*CK THE STATE

A great 7", with amazing packaging, by a quality Philly punk band that deserves your support. 


Cheers,
Frank FOE


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

The Droogettes "Bitter Old Man"

Philly's own "Clockwork Orange themed all-girl Oi! band" will have a new track on the Punk Aid 3 compilation.

You can stream or download the song right now at this link (thanks Pat): BITTER OLD MAN

Visit The Droogettes on facebook at this link.



Visit Punk Aid at this link.


I had the pleasure of seeing The Droogettes with an alternate line up at PennSkate last year and instantaneously became a fan.




Looking forward to more from the "lovely ladies of Oi!"



You can catch The Droogettes opening for The Business in Philly on June 28, 2014.

Photo: with apologies to The Droogettes
Cheers,
Frank FOE

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Hammer Fight "Chug of War"

"Chug of War"
Released: February 20, 2014

Hammer Fight - Chug Of War CD


New Jersey's Hammer Fight love to drink. Check this video of "Get Wrecked" for a sampling of their alcohol fueled excess.




Hammer Fight combine the straight forward metal aspects of Motorhead, the over the top excess of Carnivore, the street smart punk attitude of Philadelphia's Limecell and drunken speed metal attack of Gang Green. Their musical chops are as impressive as their abilities to drink refrigerated truckloads of alcohol.




Hammer Fight "Chug of War" is a hedonistic, debauchery filled ride, without limits. 

If you can relate to the song title "I Didn't Feel Like Drinking, Until I Started Drinking" you WILL LOVE "Chug of War".



(Bethlehem gig is actually Allentown PA)

HAMMER FIGHT


JABBER JAWS 1327 CHEW ST ALLENTOWN PA 18102



See you at Jabber Jaws!

Cheers,
Frank FOE