Apologies for being a bit tardy with getting the most recent monthly mix up. Work has me there a bit later than usual and it’s making it a bit hard to update. Anyway, I am posting the mix for June with a bit of a heavy heart as I just recently read that Needmore Discs, one of my favorite record stores here in the Kansas City area, is closing its doors come August 2nd. I imagine I’ve bought many of used CD’s from there over the past three or four years, so I will definitely be sad to see it go. For those in the area, you can read more and an official statement on the matter over at Pitch Weekly’s Wayward Blog. Bummer.

As per usual, if there is anything on the mix that catches your ear…then by all means pick up the corresponding album. All band/artist names have been linked to a place of purchase where applicable. I hope to get things rolling again around here soon. Been slow, I know. In the meantime however, enjoy the tunes!

01 – Deaf Wish – Broken Eyes
02 – Broken Jug – Feel About You
03 – Drop – Mirrored
04 – Hazerai – Here Comes the Good Boy
05 – Watery Love – (I’m A) Skull
06 – The Vandelles – Going Downtown
07 – The Bitters – Warrior
08 – The Radio Faces – Get in Right
09 – Horny Genius – Trilobite-Going Down to Mexico
10 – Doosu – War Plan Orange
11 – 800beloved – Mortgage Your Organs
12 – Spongehead – I See You I Want You
13 – Kittens – Great Dane
14 – Bale – Torpid
15 – Blue Ontario – Twenty Three
16 – The Unholy Two – Altamont 1969
17 – Walls – Calming Down
18 – xbxrx – Built Moments
19 – Lidsville – Good Time
20 – uSSSy – Wild Moustaches

Download (.zip file)

Labels: mixes

It should come as no surprise that the new PRE album Hope Freaks just out recently on Skin Graft is something of interest around these parts. I enjoyed their debut Epic Fits when it was released and as it appears Hope Freaks is keeping right in line with their frenetic vision of no-wave noise making. At least for me, when I think of an album as grower it usually applies to an album that is much longer and is an exhaustive listen to take in the first time. PRE might be an exhaustive listen if this isn’t your type of thing, however the band definitely doesn’t wear out their welcome in terms of time with an album that once again ranges in the 20 minute range. So how is Hope Freaks a grower? Well, at such a pace in which PRE force the listener to digest the complexity of their music, it almost becomes a blur of darting rhythms and high pitched yelps courtesy of Keeks Matsuura that multiple listens for the band become mandatory. As it expected however, it reveals itself for much more than I can simply describe.

PRE – Haircut Tacos [MP3]

Hope Freaks is currently available through Skin Graft for those that are interested. Definitely pick it up if you’re enjoying what you here.

Labels: no-wave, noise-rock, post-punk

This record continually has me guessing, which I think is probably a good thing. I just don’t know what to say about it really other than I dig what these two guys from Portland are banging out. The Ax come armed with three things apparently…guitar, drums, and big riffs. At times they lay down a heavy low end guitar tone that briefly touches upon Floor or Karp sludge territory, however I’d say the band are channeling more of a straight up rock n' roll sort of thing more along the lines of Red Fang or a heavier Bad Wizard. They are kind of a vacuum cleaner of all things that could be considered big guitar rock and the The Ax certainly emphasize the “big”. Their sound is massive in fact, to which I can only envision a towering set up behind them with patrons shirts rippling from the blast it omits. While the band tiptoes around a number of different ideas here on Our Queen of Dirt, they never cease to let up with the distortion as if they figured maybe everything sounds better this way…and I think I am beginning to agree with that sentiment. I don’t know if there are still too many people out there presently that are looking for a record like this, but I am certainly hoping so.

The Ax – Mouth to Feed [MP3]

For anyone wishing to pick up Our Queen of Dirt, then it’s available in both vinyl and CD formats over at Whoa! Boat. If you’re digging the posted tune above then I would recommend checking out the whole record. Well worth it.

Labels: garage rock, rock, sludge

Chicago’s very own Wreck are an oft overlooked band these days and one might draw the conclusion that the reason was partly due to them being hidden amongst the Wax Trax!/PIAS label during the majority of their years together. Yes, they were on the also Chicago based and notable industrial/dance label Wax Trax! and no they had absolutely nothing to do with either of those styles. Wreck was just an oddity on their roster as they were simply a rock band that bared the markings of a lot of the similar abrasive rock to come out of the city during that period. To no ones surprise I am sure, Steve Albini produced practically all of their recordings. If Wax Trax!/PIAS was looking to hit one out the park and make a mark during the grunge explosion…well Wreck were, and thankfully, much too interesting/challenging to gain that sort of notoriety.

Some may already be quite familiar with Wreck since former Die Kreuzen bassist Keith Brammer was part of the lineup that also contained members Dean Schlabowske, Bart Flores, and Kurt Moore. Schlabowske would later join John Langford from the Mekons to form alt-country act Waco Brothers. During the bands time together they released two EP’s (Wreck, House of Boris) and two albums (Soul Train and El Mundo De Los Niños). Their final album that eventually appeared in 1994 El Mundo De Los Niños was actually their only release on a different label. It was picked up by C/Z Records after Wax Trax! decidedly shelved the album. It was later re-recorded for release on C/Z. If anyone out there has promo copies of the original Wax Trax! recorded version of the album...I would love to hear it.

Anyway, in the meantime check out some fine tunes from the group…

Wreck 12’’:
Wreck – Cut-Ups [MP3]

Soul Train:
Wreck – Bad Energy [MP3]
Wreck – Retail [MP3]

House of Boris 12’’:
Wreck – Newish [MP3]

El Mundo De Los Niños:
Wreck – Coffee [MP3]

Most of Wreck’s releases are still available used on Amazon (here and here), so if anything above catches your interest then by all means grab an album or EP…or both. Enjoy!

Labels: indie-rock, post-punk, rock

Well this was a nice surprise to see pop up on the front page of the Load Records website. I honestly had no idea there was a new Rusted Shut album on the way, but I’ll gladly take it. In fact, that’s exactly what I did and ever since the LP arrived in my mailbox a couple days ago I’ve been punishing the floor speakers here at the house with it.

Anyone who has heard Rusted Shut before knows exactly what they are getting into here with their latest release simply titled Dead. Nothing has changed. Don Walsh and company are still seeping hatred out of every pore and would love nothing more to direct it towards you, the listener. For the uninitiated, Rusted Shut is from Texas and has actually been around since the mid 80’s despite only releasing three albums, an EP, and a few scattered compilation tracks here and there. Their music is very much in line with the drug fueled scuzz that reared its ugly head in the state for much of the 80’s & 90’s. However, Rusted Shut may be the most intense and nasty of the bunch although they aren’t as commonly referenced as maybe some of their contemporaries of that time. I somehow have a feeling that doesn’t matter in the least to them though, as I think their continued existence and dedication to being one large entity of hate and anger is more than enough evidence to that. Dead just happens to be another attempt to drag you down to their level of misery, and again I’ve gladly obliged.

I had a hell of a time figuring out the track listing for the LP version of this. The insert included with it was obviously made with the 10 track CD version in mind and the actual titles on the sides of the record don’t match up from what I can tell as well. Or at least they don’t on the b-side. Anyway, I’ve just went with the one for posting that I knew was correct.

Rusted Shut – Feelin’ Weakened [MP3]

If anyone is wishing to pick this up then just head over to Load Records. In the meantime, enjoy!

Labels: noise-rock

I honestly thought I was in for some Clutch self-titled era type of jam/stoner rock thing when the first track started making its way through my speakers. At least by the guitar tone and the way the drums are recorded, it led me to believe that much. And even after listening to Hurry Up Shotgun’s debut and quickly realizing that was most definitely not to be…that lead track still sounds like Clutch sans the vocals/lyrics. The other seven tracks that are to be found on Hold the Angle still burrow themselves firmly in the heart of 90’s indie-rock, however this time leaping towards the sound that one might come to expect from a band that inhabits the west coast. People who read this blog often enough probably see where this is going and in fact might as well just skip to the song because it’s something that in all likelihood will interest those of you out there and I know time is important. However, for those who don’t…Hurry Up Shotgun conjure up a sound that is reminiscent to that of Hot Snakes during their fairly solid run as a band. Plenty of bounce and liveliness here to be found while not confining themselves squarely to one influence or idea as evidenced by the opening track. The band apparently already is at work on writing new material, which will be interesting to hear and see what direction they take.

Hurry Up Shotgun – Somebody Called [MP3]

For those interested in picking up Hold the Angle, just head on over to the bands website. There is also an audio player located there that will preview the entire album, so give that a go if you’re still unsure. Enjoy!

Labels: indie-rock, post-hardcore

I think the recent surge of heat around here has gotten me a bit down. To the point where I have just found myself indifferent to doing just about anything I’ve been meaning to do, including updating the blog. I can’t say listening to this new LP from Francis Harold & The Holograms has lifted my spirits any, but I don’t think it’s a record that was intended to. With that said, Who Said These Were Happy Times was just recently released through Going Underground and comes right around the same time as a new single on Hozac that rips just about as much this record. I may not be in the best of moods lately due to being confined by this awful heat, but Francis Harold & The Holograms have assured me with this fantastic LP that being confrontational and downright nasty is perfectly a-ok. However, despite there being quite the downer vibe going on here (along with plenty of feedback/noise) the band very obviously is having a good time being angry. Does that make any sense? I doubt it, but of all the records that I've come across in the past few years this is one that certainly revels in all of its disgusting glory. The band members are wrapped in a bit of mystery, apparently sporting hooded masks in all public performances. However, after following along with the lyric sheet included…they are probably wise to hide their identities. The full blown out noise the band creates is more than plenty to get the average person uneasy, however dig further and it’s bound to creep out far more than just that.

Francis Harold & The Holograms – Glitter Girls [MP3]

For anyone wanting to pick up Who Said These Were Happy Times then hit up Going Underground or take a look for it in your preferred distro. Either way, don’t miss out on this.

Labels: garage rock, lo-fi, noise-rock