My weekend started off with a Colonel Claypool’s Bucket of Bernie Brains, a super band consisting of Les Claypool (Primus), Brain (Praxis), Buckethead (Guns N Roses), and Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic). The show was great, they played a really long session, had some wonderful solos, a couple of good covers and it was basically a full-on freak show. I went with A.P., my bro, Pandy, and a bunch of friends and I think we all had a blast. Opening the show was Gabbylala. She put on a great show playing all kinds of instruments; look for her album in 2005.
I slept in on Saturday consisted of yard work (raking leaves) and lazing around. I am still on the verge of a cold so I went to sleep early. By the way, that new doublemelt pizza thing from Dominoes is disgusting. Don’t try it. The chicken kickers, however, are wonderful.
On Sunday I ran a bunch of errands and then we had a pumpkin carving party. The weather was perfect to sit in the backyard with all the leaves falling around us making jack-o-lanterns. It was tons-o-fun and we have a whole bunch of freshly roasted and liberally salted pumpkin seeds to boot.
I can’t remember when or how I stumbled upon Twink. It was through the internet a couple of years ago, but I have no idea who to give credit to so I’m just going to go ahead and give all the credit to the one who most deserves it: Mike Langley. He wasn’t the first. He is definitely not the last. But from what I’ve heard, he is definitely the best: A musician specializing in using children’s toy instruments.
Mike and his friends create a weird, whimsical, dreamlike, fantasy-land inhabited by teddy bears, play-dough snakes, laughing clowns, decapitated Barbies, GI Joes with lit cherry bombs taped to their backs, and the Easter bunny handing out nitrous balloons. Twink’s music jumps from carnival music to new age penny-whistle to plushy rave party to a dark terrifying cartoon theme. Twink’s music spans inconceivable distances in genre which makes for an incredibly interesting listen. Aiding in the incredible diversity in style is the huge variety in children’s instruments used to create Twink’s two albums Supercute! and Twink. Instruments/toys such as the hurdy gurdy, jaymar brownie, the pling plong, giggle sticks and the see-n-say all get used. And they all get used to great benefit through the imagination, skill, and musical sophistication of Mike Langley. KHUBS Radio is providing you with a stream of the majority of Twinks self-titled début album and, per usual, a hard to find track by Anaphylaxis that features Twink.
And I know that you’re expecting Kitsch, but trust me, it’s not. Enjoy.
Did you know that Frank Black broke up the Pixies via a fax? That’s fucking brilliant. I wish I broke up with my exes via a fax. Why didn’t I think of that. Oh yeah, cause I always the one getting dumped.
The Pixies show last night pretty much kicked ass. Watching a show at Magnus Arena is pretty much like watching a show in a large tin box, thus, it’s like listening to a show in a large tin box. Sound quality left something to be desired. I saw Jane’s Addiction there before and didn’t notice the sound, but it was Jane’s addiction, and it was Halloween, and it was my birthday – I probably didn’t notice much of anything. Despite being inside a giant Altoids container the sound was decent. It was loud. Just like it should be. And they Pixies put on one hell of a rocking show (or rawking is how I think the kids are spelling it these days).
They must have played for about an hour and a half and played 20+ songs. I don’t have a set list but I knew most of the songs they played. Apparently they played everything everybody wanted to hear. But Tony’s Theme. Honestly I wasn’t that familiar with the Pixies before this summer so I feel like I’ve really been invited to sit at the same table as the cool kids now. God I hope I don’t spill my milk.
I like to call them the Belle & Sebastion for the elitist. However, they would definitely frown upon me for this description. In fact, they would probably skip the frowning and go straight for a punch in the throat. I picture them screaming, “Elitist?! Bugger off you twit! We’re the working class of Manchester. Fuck you and your elitism! And you can take your B&S and shove it straight up your arse,” as they attack me. But to me that is what they are. And I like them for it. Again it’s those boy/girl vocals and empathic melancholy that have me hooked. Ultimately, they are both better than Belle & Sebastian and are a far cry from snobby, which, for better or worse, puts them in the perfect position to capture that coveted cat-eye-glassed-hello-kitty-courier-bag demographic.
Once stating, “we’ll never package together our early singles – we’ll never do it,” Jamie Holman (Male vocals) proves that despite having a good voice, his penchant for sticking to his word is not quite as golden. Tompaulin released a compilation of all they’re early singles entitled “Everything Is Beautiful And Nothing Hurt”. But it would simply be too easy to slap this album up on KHUBS Radio, so I have recreated the most of the album with the original singles in the order they were released (songs 1-8). Then I included the entire “My Life At The Movies” single, which is fairly difficult to find in these united states and not included on the compilation album (songs 9-12). And lastly I included a few of my favorites off the full-length debut album “The Town And The City” (songs 13-17). So turn up your speakers, lay in bed, stare at the ceiling, and enjoy.
It has been rumored that Tompaulin is supposed to have a new full-length album out later this year on Track & Field Records. All of the music you here on KHUBS may be difficult to purchase in the U.S., you may want to start at one of the links below.
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Ok, so. I Am The world Trade Center. Well, I’m not. But they are. Yeah, they know it’s an unusual name for a band. And yes, they had chosen the name long before the World Trade Center was attacked by terrorists. This link explains how they came up with such an unusual band name. Well, It’s not really a band either. It’s Amy Dykes and Dan Geller and a computer. I guess that might qualify as a band. I don’t know anymore. But I do know they make some incredible music. I’m not the biggest dance music fan but I love nearly everything IATWTC has made. That’s why I have put them up on KHUBS Radio today. They have a poppy, retro, electronic sound (which isn’t surprising considering they cover the like of bands such as New Order, The Human League, Berlin, and Blondie among others) that has that contemporary dance floor feel, but isn’t kitschy. Most of all it’s fun. It almost forces you to dance. If you’re not dancing to this you’re a robot. Scratch that, even robots are dancing to IATWTC. I’ve talked about IATWTC a few times around here and got the pleasure to hang around and drink beers with Amy & Dan the last time they were in Denver. They are turbo smart, and 100 different kinds of great. Mostly the friendly and humble kind of great. They have been through the ringer lately though. The two have recently broken up and have gotten back together again (kind of), they’ve had label problems, controversy surrounding their name, and last month Amy was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. You can send her a get well card to Amy Dykes PO BOX 829 Athens, GA 30603. I’m wishing you the speediest of recoveries Amy. Get well soon.
This episode of KHUBS radio contains the entire first I Am The World Trade Center album called “Out Of The Loop” which accounts for songs 1-14. Song 15 is the 15th song on the very hard to find Japanese release of Out Of The Loop and is one of my favorites. Song 16 is cover a The Promise Ring song that was released by Kindercore on a 7″ from their singles club. Song 17 is actually the Brittle Stars song Four Words that has been remixed by I Am The World Trade Center. And don’t forget to buy their new album “The Cover Up”, it gets released June 29th. Enjoy.
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Over the past week or two KHUBS Radio has been playing Carissa’s Wierd’s first album, Ugly But Honest 1996-1999, in its entirety. This week I’ll be playing their second album You Should Be At Home Here. And you should, because Carissa’s Wierd once again soothes us with their incredible blend of voluble lyrics and heartbreaking music. This album has much the same sound as the first. Some say better. The violin and accordion are slightly more pronounced and the sound quality is a little better. Their subtle grandeur shows through in multiples during this entire album. The song titles alone are poetry (i.e. “The Color That Your Eyes Changed With The Color Of Your Hair” and “The Ghost Of A Dead Hummingbird Flying Around The Room”). This is music that grows on you like your favorite t-shirt, it gets softer and more pleasing with wear.
After emailing with Ben Bridwell (drummer) and Matthew Brooke (guitar, vocals) this week about what I’m doing here at KHUBS Radio I have also discovered that these guys are a couple of the most amiable and likable people on the planet. They’re self-deprecating in the most endearing way possible. Go buy their record at SadRobot Records now. In the mean time. Enjoy.
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Back in my LoFi days I stumbled upon Carissa’s Wierd (yes, “weird” is supposed to be misspelled, I’m not sure why, maybe just to trick people) and am glad I did. Carissa’s Wierd is a rainy day band that has fit my mood perfectly over the last week or two. I missed their last show in Denver this past summer, which sucks, because I was aware they were playing but I wasn’t aware of their (very well publicized) break up – I wouldn’t get the chance to see them live again.
Carissa’s Wierd can be described as LoFi, orchestral, folky, pop. Their songs are slight and filigreed. I can relate to them in the way that they don’t command your attention as much as wait for you to notice them. Jenn Ghetto and Matthew Brooke’s boy/girl vocals once again sucker me in with their understated resonance. Musically the blend of acoustic and electric guitars combined with violin, piano, drums, bass, and occasional accordion all blend together into a breathtaking, intoxicating mess. But it’s best if you listen for yourself of course.
Carissa’s Wierd split up in July of 2003 leaving behind three LPs. Their latest album “Songs About Leaving” was released by Sad Robot Records and can be easily purchased from them. However, their first two releases, Ugly But Honest 1996-1999 and You Should Be At Home Here were released on the now defunct Brown Records. Sad Robot has announced reissues of these two albums last year but they have failed to materialize. This is where KHUBS Radio comes to the rescue. Since I started hubs radio, each episode I have provided you with at least a couple of songs that are out of print, rare, or hard to find. For the next week or so I’ll be playing entire Ugly But Honest 1996-1999 album, after that I’ll play the entire You Should Be At Home Here, And then I’ll play a live set. I’ll announce it here each time I change it. I kick off our session the way Carissa’s Wierd kicked off all they’re live shows – with a tune called Heather Rhodes. Enjoy!
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The I Am The World Trade Center show last night was really enjoyable. The opening bands were the local The Very Hush Hush who were just ok. Nothing special really and they only played like 3 songs. The other opener was Paper Lions, they were pretty good, great rhythm (bass and drums) section. They sounded a bit like The Clash to me. You can listen to their entire album at there website if you’re interested. I Am The World Trade Center played a great set. They claimed the altitude here pooped them out but they danced through the entire night. They did a partial cover of Berlin’s “Metro”, a great cover of the Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me” (a song near and dear to my heart – the album isn’t released yet but you can listen to it here) and for the encore they did a cover of New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle” at my screamed out request. I got to the lounge early hoping that it might actually start at a decent time. Unfortunately there was two opening bands and they didn’t even get on stage till 11:30. This, combined with hanging out with Dan and Amy and drinking beer all night. They are super smart (Dan’s an engineer and Amy is getting her masters in costume history and teaches at the University of Georgia) and a fun couple to be around and I was glad I got a chance to meet them. It was a fun night over all. I just can’t handle going out till 2:30 a.m. on weeknights anymore. I’m exhausted.
I can’t remember how I stumbled upon Hammers Of Misfortune, but I sure am glad I did. As far as purely creative metal goes, these guys (and gals) got it. I’m not quite sure how to define them – black metal, heavy goth, prog rock, theatrical fantasy, dark opera, celtic metal. Really, they are a little bit of all of these mixed and played in a way that creates a genre of its own. Mostly they are just pure unadulterated metal. These are incredibly talented musicians that buck convention and create a sound that is fresh and exciting in the world of metal. The band consists of five members: John Cobbett (also of Ludicra), Chewy Marzolo, Mike Scalzi, Jamie Myers (ex-Like Flies on Flesh, South Mouth), Sigrid Sheie (ex-Menstrual Tramps). Jamie and Sigrid are not only incredibly hot, they also provide instrumental prowess and the female vocals which really round out their sound. Plus, we all know I’m a sucker for female voice. Fans of exclusively polished and commercial melodic metal should avoid this like the plague. This shit is the real deal and KHUBS radio has some for you. The first six songs are currently out of print. They off of Hammer Of Misfortune’s first album, “The Bastard”, a concept album in which a different member in the band sings each character. The next two songs are from H.O.M.’s most recent album called “The August Engine”. Before they were called Hammers Of Misfortune, they were called Unholy Cadaver. Unholy Cadaver released one three-song album called “Demo #1”, the song “Unsheathe The Sword Of Blasphemy” is off of that album, which I believe is no longer in print as well. The last song is an extremely really hard to find one; it’s a song called “Galactic Police” by Thunderchimp, which was the seed for Unholy Cadaver which then became Hammers Of Misfortune. Anyway, screw the history lesson and go listen to the music. Enjoy.
