Review: The Vandals
The Vandals “The Show Must Go Off!” (Kung Fu Records) While I’ve enjoyed quite a bit of what the “The Show Must Go Off!” series brings to the table, I usually end up lamenting the poor production quality and static…
Tag issue-41
Interview: Deerhoof
by Peter Soyer Sometimes the small fish gets the biggest worm. When everyone in the ocean of music is trying to be the biggest fish with the best producers, the edgiest sound and the coolest looks, the little fish swim…
Review: Goldfinger
Goldfinger “The Show Must Go Off!” (Kung Fu Records) Now, I’d like to believe that as a species we’ve moved beyond the whole ska/punk nonsense that Goldfinger is so fond of, but I’d also like to believe we’re beyond genocide…
Interview: Destroyer
interview by Gordon Downs Dan Bejar is the missing New Pornographer. Tons of indie rockers are dying to see him. He also happens to be the man behind Destroyer. A deconstructed solo assemblage of pop music in perhaps its purest…
Review: In Smog and Thunder
I n Smog and Thunder “The Great War of the Californias” (Smart Art Films / Pop Twist Entertainment) Smog Town vs. Fog Town. Sunset Strip vs. The Castro. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco. There can be only one victor. “In…
Review: Transistor Transistor / Wolves
Transistor Transistor / Wolves “Split EP” (Level Plane) Transistor Transistor: It’s jagged and edgy, but not particularly aggressive. More like, a controlled agitation. They’ve got those quick, clean sounding guitars that get their subtle distortion more from the jacked volumes…
Review: The Von Bondies
The Von Bondies “Raw and Rare” (Dim Mak) The Jack White-approved Detroit garage rockers put out an album, of yes, raw and rare live recordings from 2001 and 2002 for the BBC and a few caught live in Detroit. It…
Review: Vortis
Vortis “God Won’t Bless America” (Thick Records) The album opens with, “For some reason the Bush administration has an obsession with Iraq and Saddam Hussein.” Then they kick into a war protest song. Protest music really is the heart of…
Review: Watashi Wa
Watashi Wa “The Love of Life” (Tooth & Nail) This foursome from A-town cut through songs that could easily play on your crappy local radio station, only these songs aren’t crappy. Sure, they don’t really make you want to bump…
Review: With Resistance
With Resistance “Self-Titled” (Immigrant Sun) Rather than go the standard hardcore route with breakdown after predicable breakdown and clichéd rants about “the scene”, With Resistance play a faster, technical, metal tinged variety of hardcore, devoid of soapbox ministries and bullshit…