Author: mike

Trust Fund/Joanna Gruesome at Stereogum

When we posted Joanna Gruesome’s great “Jerome (Liar),” we noted it was to be included on an upcoming split with Bristol indie-rockers Trust Fund. Now here’s one of Trust Fund’s contributions to the split, “Reading The Wrappers.” The track blooms from a charming low-key guitar and vocals piece into a chiming, charging, full-fledged rock song… Continue reading Trust Fund/Joanna Gruesome at Stereogum

Joe Jack Talcum at Big Takeover

After an enthusiastic reception to his first volume of home recordings,1984-1990 (HHBTM, 2011), Dead Milkmen guitarist, Joe Jack Talcum, graciously presents his humble sequel. Assembled from self-released cassette tapes, sometimes featuring friends,Home Recordings 1993-1999 showcases Talcum’s talent as a songwriter and lo-fi 4-track producer. It’s an intimate affair, ranging in moods and tones. While the humorous element of The… Continue reading Joe Jack Talcum at Big Takeover

Luxembourg Signal at POP! Stereo

The Luxembourg Special while being a new band on paper really aren’t and features members that have been playing for years if not decades under other guises. From Aberdeen to Fonda to Trembling Blue Stars and who knows what in between the members of Luxembourg Special have spent some time in the indie pop trenches… Continue reading Luxembourg Signal at POP! Stereo

Close Lobsters at porky prime cuts

MEANWHILE, A BRIEF mention for a Close Lobsters single (as Porky tends not to bother with singles), the two-trackKunstwerk In Spacetime EP (Shelflife records), on glorious 70-gram maroon vinyl. It’s the Scottish indie bands first release in a quarter of a century, and arrived at Porky Towers, rather curiously, a couple of days after I rediscovered their two… Continue reading Close Lobsters at porky prime cuts

Hobbes Fanclub at Gold Flake Paint

It’s true. Psychocandy never moved me. Maybe I’m too young. But what I do appreciate, and what I imagine others recall fondly, too, is how much swathes of space were cut in the mid- to late-eighties. From the lingering burn of Galaxie 500 and Red House Painters, to the magenta haze shrouds of My Bloody… Continue reading Hobbes Fanclub at Gold Flake Paint

Hobbes Fanclub at The Answer is in the Beat

I’m hoping these folks mean they’re fans of Calvin’s stuffed tiger buddy, but I’m guessing they mean the philosopher. Which means this band probably agrees that life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”. This album isn’t as dreary as you’d expect, though. More than anything, it recalls late ’80s/early ’90s British indie, the days… Continue reading Hobbes Fanclub at The Answer is in the Beat

Bastards of Fate at Get It On Vinyl

When the name Bastards of Fate was passed along to me, I assumed they were a punk band. I was positive in fact, that they were a hardcore punk band with stage antics in line with G.G. Allen’s. I pictured a front man who cut himself on stage and projectile vomited on the audience. It really sounded… Continue reading Bastards of Fate at Get It On Vinyl