Friday, December 2, 2011

Dead lights.

How do I describe Dead Lights? I've tried many times to describe this unique band to friends, family and total strangers but I always seem to come up short. Its not that they have a weird concept or even that they cross so many genres; its more that they sit in a place that seems just outside genre conventions. Hardcore? maybe. Post punk? Sure. Some kind of hybrid? I guess. The Band describes themselves as Gloom punk. I'd say that is a pretty good place to start. They kind of sound like a crusty shoe gaze type band with that driving bass and drum combo you get in allot of post punk music. 

I once asked their singer/guitarist Jersey how Dead lights came to be. He said they originally wanted to start a pop punk band (all three members of Dead lights are/were in numerous bands at this time) but that it kind quickly took on a style all its own. Unfortunately they formed and disbanded in almost the same year leaving behind a single five song demo tape. The demo is pretty good and I listen to it almost constantly, but to truly get the full effect of Dead Lights you have to see them live. Unfortunately I doubt there will ever be a Dead lights Reunion on the horizon. 

Editors note: Dude how many times did you use the bands name in this article? And is unfortunately your favourite word or something? Get a fucking thesaurus.











Thursday, November 24, 2011

RAW RAW RIOT.

Local Ottawa all female punk band that plays some good ol'fashioned angry punk Rawk music. They also put on an amazing live show, so check them out.

These Photos were taken from two different shows. One was a Halloween bash (hence the costumes) and the other was when they opened for none other then D.O.A.











Knives and Forks for Freedom.

I always have a very difficult time describing punk bands as there are so many sub genres and styles within it. It can be hard to resist the urge to shove a band or groups of bands into particular sub genre of an already small subculture. I'm finding that this urge to divide is causing a lot of fracturing in the scene as a whole and the more negative aspects of it are kind of bumming me out (all the fucking nit picking sucks).

So for Knives and forks for Freedom, I'll simply just say go see these guys if you can. These shot were taken at their CD release show.




The Nummies

These were taken At a Halloween show and a show on Nov 5 2011. 































Monday, September 5, 2011

Lost youth.

"Kerosene and Styrofoam/ That's Napalm.
Napalm in a bottle with a Rag/ That's a Molotov.
                                                      Sole: Blood Libel Ft: Time.

 From acrimonious splits within the ranks to possible jail time to their drummer getting stabbed in the face with a ten inch kitchen knife: Lost youth have continued to grow as a band with surprising rapidity, despite some serious setbacks. 

Consisting of James/ Frank/ Ali and James: Lost youth play classic hardcore that packs a surious ass kicking street vibe.











Monday, August 29, 2011

Teenage Jesus+the Jerks.


!970's New York: Ugly, violent, dingy; a city on the verge of decay, filled with violent maniacs and perverts (or so every film from that era tells me). I wish I could have lived there at that time just to drift through the music scene that consistently pushed the boundaries.

Teenage Jesus + the Jerks was a short lived yet influential band during the short lived No Wave movement in New York. Fronted by Cult icon Lydia lunch and saxophonist James Chance. They had an intentionally abrasive style, filled with abrasive noise and provocative lyrics, they were infamous for playing ten minute sets filled with thirty second songs. The out put of Teenage Jesus was meager at best, with only a few singles and some recordings floating around. 




Thursday, August 25, 2011

WHAT CHEER? BRIGADE!

"We wanted to make very loud music without having to rely on electricity" 

This was the response when I asked a tuba player how What cheer? Brigadegot started. If the apocalypse befalls us I'm gonna be following this band around as they travel from camp to camp blasting the eardrums of huddled and ragged survivors.

Sunday I had the pleasure of catching What Cheer? Brigade's show. If You don't know the name "What Cheer? Brigade" then let me fill you in. Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island. What Cheer? is an 18 piece (give or take) punk marching band, that plays a mishmash of genres with the intensity of an old time revivalist tent meeting, all without a single electric instrument.. Oh and bring earplugs. This was the loudest damn show I've ever seen. 

I first caught wind of them while eagerly awaiting the release of B. Dolan's Fallen house sunken city. What Cheer backed Dolan on the song border crossing. Since then they have backed him live and opened for him during the Church of love and ruin tour.