Yeah, Tonight: An Interview With Jeremy Underwood of Gold-Bears

In the spring of 2011 Atlanta's noise pop titans, Gold-Bears seem to come from nowhere. There superb debut, Are You Falling In Love? was concise and infectious collection of intelligent songwriting buried under a sea of fuzz. ConsultThe AGP Review. Gold-Bears will make there recorded return tomorrow when the esteemed Slumberland Records issues Dalliance the bands bracing and superbly crafted second LP. The band play a stacked bill tonight at the Middlesex Lounge with Soccer Mom, Bent Shapes, and Rye Pines, presented by Eye Design. We recently had the chance to speak to   Gold-Bears fronter, Jeremy Underwood about recording his bands new record, hanging out with Pam Berry, and the influence of the recently disbanded, Boyracer

The Ash Gray Proclamation: On Tuesday you will release your second LP, can you discuss the progression of Gold-Bears, from forming in 2010, to the bands debut Are You Falling In Love? to the new material your recorded for Dalliance?

Jeremy Underwood: I stopped making music for a few years and found a few friends in Atlanta to help me with some songs I'd stockpiled. We practiced a few times and recorded 2 songs for a 7" that was released by magic marker records. Shortly after that we released a 7" with Cloudberry Records. Mike Slumberland (Micheal Schulman, founder of Slumberland Records) heard those records and I approached him about doing our lp. He agreed. Since then, all of the original members of gold-bears moved from Atlanta, so I asked my friends in Small Reactions to help. We took about a year and a half to record Dalliance and are now on tour in support of the record.
The AGP: The new record features a couple notable guest appearances, can you tell us how the LP's collaborations came about?

Jeremy: In 2012 we played the indie tracks festival in the UK and Pam Berry of Black Tambourine came up to our merch stall so her girls could take a few of our free badges. We started chatting and we played a show the next night in London with her band The Pines. On our way home, I decided to ask her if she'd sing on a song. So she did. I've been a fan of Standard Fare for a while. We played with them in Atlanta and hit it off. I love Emma's (Kupa) voice. When I was writing Yeah, Tonight I thought her voice would be perfect for it so I sent her the song and she wanted to sing on it!I've been friends with Madeline Adams for a while. She is an amazing songwriter and has a beautiful voice. She came by the studio to sing and, surprisingly, our voices blended well together on Hey, Sophie and I hope they're right.

The AGP: Dalliance is reportedly about regret, were you influenced to write a more personal record this time around?

Jeremy: The first record was very personal, but the details were buried or veiled. On this record, I didn't have to cover up any of the lyrics since I divorced the person I was writing about on the first record. The record is about the regret associated with a failed marriage and all the emotions that come with that and the regret of what the divorce may or may not do to my daughter.

The AGP: Your love of The Wedding Present and and the recently defunct, Boyracer is well documented, how have those bands influenced you as a songwriter?

Jeremy: I remember hearing the "B is for Boyracer" Sarah single when I was 18. I loved how they were able to blend noise and pretty pop. Stewart Anderson eventually wound up releasing an EP of my old band and my old band toured with Boyracer in the early 2000's. Stew actually plays drums on one song on the first Gold-Bears 7". Stew has not only been a musical influence for me but has also a big supporter of my music.

Gold-Bears play the Middlesex Lounge tonight as part of a jaw dropping line-up that also features Soccer Mom, Rye Pines, and Bent Shapes for a measly $5.00. Because you made it through Monday and lets face it you deserve this. Consult the FB events page for further details.

Land Speed Record : A Conversation With Grant Hart

At this point Grant Hart should need no introduction, the former drummer/ vocalist and founding member of Minneapolis punk legends Husker Du, who later went on to form the criminally  under appreciated Nova Mob as well as releasing four sterling solo releases, has solidified his place as one of the American undergrounds most important artists, but you wouldn't know it when listening to his latest LP, the sprawling and flat out excellent, The Argument, Hart continues to push his song craft into new and engaging directions. In advance of his performance at The Davis Square Theatre tomorrow night, we caught up with Grant to dig into his latest work, the lost art of the concept record, and the legacy of Husker Du.

The Ash Gray Proclamation: Let's start with The Argument, it's well documented that the album was inspired by John Milton's Paradise Lost. What was your vision going into recording the songs that would end up on the album?

Grant Hart: Going in I wanted to secularize the material, remove any particularly Christian content and tell a story where either gods were men or all men were gods.

AGP: How were you first introduced to Milton's Paradise Lost?

Grant: The story has resonated in western thought for centuries. After seeing a version that Burroughs wrote, I was motivated.

AGP: Are there any plans for a stage production of The Argument?

Grant: Not with the type of funding I have at my disposal.

AGP: Do you think we can draw any correlation between the album's theme of the fall of man with the current state of our country?

Grant: Any era can have those correlations, be it government or the social order or anything. We are always on the way to hell.

AGP: Was it a conscious decision to record these tracks primarily on your own?

Grant: As a multi - instrumentalist it is easier for me to transmit my ideas this way. Some parts beyond my ability were played by others, particularly Davin Odegaard on bass.

AGP: With having recorded three conceptual albums, Husker Du's Zen Arcade, Nova Mob's The Last Day's of Pompeii, and now with The Argument, what draws you to the concept record?

Grant: I like to tell stories. I think ordering single songs into song cycles is attractive.

AGP: You have been out supporting the record and on Thursday you will play The Davis Square Theatre, how has the new material translated to the Live setting on what can your fans expect from your upcoming performance?

Grant: The performance will cover a lot of ground, old, new, and hyper new.

AGP: Does it get tiresome answering questions about Husker Du, when you have spent so much time away from your former band releasing high caliber records with Nova Mob and as a solo artist?

Grant: I'm proud of my early efforts, for instance my first LP with Husker will never be matched by me for sheer physicality. We were ahead of the curve. The other concepts were fine also, but Husker Du contained two excellent artists whose work is still vital.

AGP: Do you feel reuniting like so many of your contemporaries have done would tarnish the legacy of Husker Du?

Grant: If something like that were ever to happen it would be done in a way to expand the original concept, not merely exploit the enduring popularity of what was done.

AGP: After spending time in the early punk scene with some of the genres seminal bands, do you retain a connection with those early days or the music?

Grant: I have always tried to maintain the same level of revolutionary spirit. True anarchy rather than the anarchy you can buy at the mall.

Grant Hart plays The Davis Square Theatre tomorrow May 22nd at 8 PM

Transmissions: Fucked Up - Sun Glass

As we try to shake off some of the rust and dust here at The Ash Gray Proclamation and resume our normal activities which will include a facelift and regularly content updates, we are eager to point you to Sun Glass the new weed fueled video from Toronto's punk juggernaut, Fucked Up. The bands hotly anticipated new LP, Glass Boys will be released by Matador Records on June 3rd and band will be out on the road this spring and summer in support of their new long player. Check the Boston-less dates below.

Fucked Up - 2014 Tour Dates
05/18 Asbury Park, NJ Skate and Surf Festival
05/22 Cleveland, OH Now That's Class (Horrible Fest)
06/06 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
06/08 Toronto, Ontario Field Trip Festival
06/13 Lucerne, Switzerland B-Sides Festival
06/14 Brussels, Belgium VK
06/15 Manchester, England Gorilla
06/16 Newcastle, England The Cluny
06/17 Leeds, England Belgrave
06/18 London, England Koko
06/19 Paris, France Point Emphere
06/20 Scheessel, Germany Hurricane Festival
06/21 Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany Southside Festival
06/22 Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands Best Kept Secret Festival
07/02 Philadelphia, PA Morgan's Pier
07/03 Washington, DC Rock and Roll Hotel
07/04 Richmond, VA Strange Matter
07/05 Raleigh, NC Kings Barcade
07/06 Atlanta, GA Mammal Gallery
07/07 Nashville, TN Exit/In
07/08 St. Louis, MO Luminary Arts
07/10 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge
07/11 Detroit, MI Loving Touch
07/20 Pemberton, British Columbia Pemberton Festival
08/10 Montreal, Quebec Heavy Montreal
08/15 Vancouver, British Columbia Fortune Sound Club
08/16 Seattle, WA Neumos
08/17 Portland, OR Music Fest NW
08/19 San Francisco, CA The Independent
08/20 Ventura, CA The Garage
08/22 Pomona, CA Glasshouse
08/23 San Diego, CA Casbah
09/06 New York, NY Irving Plaza

The AGP"s Top Album's of 2013 - The Late Bastards Edition

Excuse our tardiness to the party! We turned in one of these year end list in nearly every year of our existence, so we felt propelled to give it a go with our list of our favorite sounds of 2013. To be honest this list has been intact since early January, but after a certain editor fractured his elbow it was temporarily shelved, but all wounds heel and far be it for us to miss an opportunity to share our opinions on the years finest releases. Below you will find the 10 releases  (in no particular order)that spent considerable time on our turntables, in our cars, and blowing our office speakers. It can not be understated the year in music belonged to the State Of Massachusetts, from North Hampton to Jamaica Plain and that is well represented below. We'll return shortly when we can all type with two hands, oh the luxury!

Guillermo Sexo - Dark Spring [Midriff Records]


Krill - Lucky Leaves [Deep Thoughts]


Speedy Ortiz - Major Arcana[Carpark Records]



Slowdim - Slowdim [Self Released]


Connections - Body Language [Self Released]


Bent Shapes - Feels Weird [Father Daughter Records]


Robert Pollard - Honey Locust Honkey Tonk [Rockathon|The Factory Of Raw Essentials]



Worms - Worms [Last Watt Records]


Los Campesinos! - No Blues [Wichita|Turnstile]



Ovlov - am [Exploding In Sound Records]

Echo Out My Call: A Conversation With Guillermo Sexo's Reuben Bettsak

In advance of Saturday's Ash Gray Proclamation Presented For All Good Kids,  Toys For Tots Benefit show we recently had the chance to sit down for chat with Reuben Bettsak of Boston's psych pop titans, Guillermo Sexo. We discussed the recording of his bands excellent fifth LP Dark Spring, which we reviewed here, the evolution of Guillermo Sexo, and he even shared an off the cuff list of some his favorite recorded moments of 2013.

The Ash Gray Proclamation: How has the band evolved from the early material on Oh Wow and Magic Lanterns through Secret Wild and the new LP, Dark Spring?

Reuben Bettsak: There has been a few line-up changes in our history and that certainly contributes to our evolution.

Our first full length, Oh Wow, feels like it was a different band in a lot of ways. Obviously we had another female vocalist at the time, but there was also more emphasis on the bass/drum rhythms. This had a lot to do with Nick Gaynier's (Appomattox) drumming. Noell Dorsey has been in the band since our second album, Magic Lanterns. Working with Noell all these years has been such a great experience. I feel like I've been able to branch out as a songwriter. She comes from an experimental background, and combined with my love for strong catchy melodies, it creates fascinating results. We keep coming up with music that's interesting to me. I think Magic Lanterns is a bit of a mess. Some great songs on it, and so many ideas. Some worked and some didn't, but It was definitely the album that started a lot of the Guillermo Sexo guitar layering that's become a big part of our sound.

I won't go through every album, but when we recorded the first half of Vivid Nights we didn't have a Bass player. That's why that album has so many short poppy power songs. I really like that album. Jamie joined the band and added rad bass lines, but that album was written differently. Mark was the drummer at the time (drummer of Fat History Month) gave me a lot of confidence by taking time to listen to 30 demo songs I had compiled. He picked his favorites, and those are most of the songs on Vivid Nights. Even though I've always been the principle songwriter, Magic Lantern came forth mainly through jamming rather than demos. Vivid Night pushed me to bring some fully fleshed out songs to the table. So, ultimately those early albums really paved the way for the Guillermo Sexo of today. Secret Wild and Dark Spring are both albums that have songs created either through jams, or fully fleshed demos that I brought in. They both include collaborations between Noell and I, and they both have the layering, experimenting, etc. I do think that we keep growing as a band, and as songwriters.

Dark Spring also features what I think is the best line-up we've ever had with Elliott Anderson on Bass, Ryan Connelly on drums. Elliott and Ryan just bring in so much goodness to the bands sound. All these years have taught us how to better make albums, and we took more time with Dark Spring and it's my favorite Guillermo record so far. We just added a guitar player to the band. His name is Richard, and he's allowing us to play the songs closer to what they sound like on the album.

The AGP: How did the pairing with Boston/NYC based indie, Midriff Records come about?

Reuben: I've kept up with Midriff over the years. I've always dug and respected the label because they have rowdy noisy records by some outstanding band/songwriters. Records by Eldridge Rodriguez, The Beatings, Age Rings, ZL to name a few. Anyways, when we recorded the Bring Down Your Arms EP, I gave copy of the songs to Cameron Keiber at a show, I think it took him a couple months to actually listen to it, but he sent me a message saying he and Clayton (Keiber) listened to it on the way to NYC, and that they were really into it.The rest is history, it's been great working with them.

The AGP: We were immediately drawn to the rich and varied textures that run throughout Dark Spring, was that something the band was aiming for while writing and recording the album?

Reuben: Dark Spring was such a fun record to write. Ryan joined the band like 2 years ago and we immediately started working or writing the songs for this album. The way this lineup works together really enables us to try so many things. It's a good combo of songs like Bring Down Your Arms and Echo Out My Call that are ultra catchy and songs like Meow Metal, Coyote, and Dark Spring that are expansive and come through jamming. A lot of the textures come from guitar or keyboard layers. I just love building layers and creating happy accidents. My overdubs are never planned, always improvised. I do think we've embraced repetition more, and that makes the nuances of the layers more effective in a lot of ways. I'm a sucker for bands like Spiritualized, My Bloody Valentine, and Mercury Rev who really build powerful symphonic vibes via layering.

The AGP: With other projects which include Future Carnivores and Emerald Comets how do you decide what material get slated for Guillermo Sexo or is that predetermined early in the process?

Reuben: I write a lot of songs. Mr. Robert Pollard's approach suits me just fine. What I mean is that I just write without thinking where the song will end up. The reason I'm going to put solo stuff out under Emerald Comets is that there are lots of songs that never make their way to Guillermo Sexo or just don't work. The first Emerald Comets EP is all finished up, I'm going to release it early next year. Future Carnivores is a total different beast, Bo Barringer and I rarely bring any songs or ideas in advance. It's always an organic on the fly process, for example, I might record a beat on the drum machine, then he will add a bass line, then I'll add guitar and so on. Then he does the vocals, Noell will add stuff and Pepe will add live drums here and there. That's the way the first two albums were done. We are starting to do a bit more of jamming nowadays as a band.

The AGP: Can you tell me a little bit about the recorded process for Dark Spring that you once again embarked on with Justin Pizzoferrato (Dinosaur Jr./Speedy Ortiz)?

Reuben: I love working with Justin, we've worked with him for so many years, but it doesn't get stale. Instead it just gets better. He gets so many rad sounds, and understands what I'm trying to achieve. I literally let him mix the stuff without looking over his shoulder, and it's like he's read my mind. Maybe a few tweaks here and there, but at this point it's like he's a band member. I'm really proud of what we achieved with Dark Spring sonically, and I think Justin deserves a lot of credit cause he rules. Also, I constantly barrage Justin by sending him demos. It works out because he suggested we record Balboa after I sent him an early demo I did.

The AGP: What do you have planned for the new year with Guillermo Sexo as well as your other projects?

Reuben: Guillermo Sexo will continue to play shows to support Dark Spring next year. We are also planning a spring tour. I want to do a couple more videos for the record as well. We are starting to write new material which is exciting. Future carnivores will play shows and continue plugging away at album #3, and an EP from Emerald Comets,I'm planning more recording for Emerald
Comets material as well.

The AGP: We are thrilled to have Guillermo Sexo playing our Toys For Tots Benefit,For All Good Kids on Saturday. For those who have yet to see the band Live or at lease in recent months, what can they expect on Saturday night in Plymouth?

Reuben: We are very excited! It's a good cause and we love Krill, Hallelujah The Hills , and The Hush Now, so it's going to rule. We are playing a brand new song called Long Lines at the show. First time playing a brand new song live since releasing Dark Spring.

The AGP: I understand you have a healthy appetite for new music, what are some of your recorded musical highlights of 2013?

Reuben: I do like to keep up with new music, Some of my favorite albums of 2013 are the new albums by:

My Bloody Valentine
Thee Oh Sees
Black Hearted Brother
Girls Names
Parquet Courts
No Joy
Jacco Gardner
Primal Scream
Youth Lagoon
Fuck Buttons
Kurt Vile
Deerhunter

Add New Highway Hymnal, Ghost Box Orchestra, Fat Creeps, Speedy Ortiz, Young Adults, and Krill. I could keep going with all the great music coming out of this area right now. I can also say Dark Spring and Future Carnivores' Come Inside are two favorites of the year for me.

Guillermo Sexo joins Hallelujah The Hills, Krill, and Noel Kelly of The Hush Now this Saturday in Historic Plymouth for For All Good Kids, A Toys For Tots Benefit. Full event details here. The toys are for the kids, the rock is for you.

New Music Hour on 95.9 FM WATD vol.1

Last Friday, The Ash Gray Proclamation and 95.9 FM WATD joined forces for the debut of the New Music Hour that will be airing during The Alternative with Chris Atwood, on the last Friday of every month. I brought in some new tracks that have been dominating my listening as of late, which included amoung other things, an unearthed track from Hallelujah The Hills that as far as I can tell, few had heard until now as well as new tracks from Calories and Joanna Gruesome. The playlist is below with the linkage.. We chatted a bit about the impending Ash Gray Proclamation Presented: For All Good Kids, Toys For Tots Benefit show which will take place next Saturday Dec 7th at The New World Tavern in Plymouth.

Krill - Theme From Krill from Lucky Leaves
Streaming and available for purchase at the Krill Bandcamp site.

Black Hearted Brother - This Is How It Feels from Stars Are Our Home
Available at Slumberland Records.

28 Degrees Taurus - From Part To Part
Available as a free download via Bandcamp.

Guillermo Sexo - Carried A Golden Heart from Dark Spring
Streaming at Bandcamp and available for purchase over at Midriff Records.

Beach Fossils - Careless from Clash The Truth
Stream at Soundcloud and order the LP at Captured Tracks.

The Hush Now - Rooftops from Memos
Available as a free download at The Hush Now's Bandcamp page.

Calories - Mausoleum from then newly released III
Avaiable as a pay what you want offer at the Calories Bandcamp page.

Slowdim - Take Your Only Heart That Is Soley Free (Demo)
Available for free at Soundcloud .

Joanna Gruesome - Tugboat (Galaxie 500 cover) from the Sugarcrush single.
Available at Slumberland Records.

Hallelujah The Hills - Highschoolvania (Unreleased)
Visit HTH's Bandcamp page for streaming and purchases.


In the event that you missed this weeks debut broadcast you can stream it via CPS Productions.

New Sounds Now: Calories Unveil New LP, III

Last week we were pleasantly surprised to find Birmingham, England's noise pop titans, Calories issuing their appropriately titled third full length, III. The new set seemingly pick up where 2010's superb Basic Nature left us with ragged fuzz covered pop that exhibits Calories strength for discharging catchy as hell melodies, submerged under mountains of feedback. The nine track III, which contains among other things, the ten plus minute closer Tropics, which we currently can't get enough of,  is currently available as a pay what you want deal over at Calories Bandcamp. Enjoy the full album stream below, then make the financial commitment to the album that is sure to screw up our impending 2013 year end list.

This Weeks Short Bursts : Sex Tide, Connections, + Mincer Ray

In this weeks short bursts we're obliged to direct you to The Birthpace of Aviation as well as to The Grey City for three outfits who share an appreciation of earnest lo-fi pop and arresting guitar fuzz anthems. From the basements and garages of Columbus and Berlin to your ears.

With the release of Flash Fuck, rising Columbus, OH's skuzz pop outfit, Sex Tide have delivered a exemplary EP of jarring garage rock in the vein of fellow Ohioan's, Times New Viking and the sorely missed, Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments. Sex Tide is comprised of standing drummer and vocalist, Aurelie Celine along with dual guitarists Chad Bad and Chris Corbin, On Flash Fuck the trio runs through 7 sludge filled art damaged garage pop in 20 minutes and not a second is wasted, in fact it's due to that brevity that has us reaching for this EP over and over. Recorded on quarter inch analog tape which gives these song considerable density and perfectly capture Sex Tides' voluminous cacophony. Volume required.



Back in June we were compelled to tell you about the Columbus, OH supergroup Connections in our debut Currently Obsessed segment. The band that features members of both 84 Nash and Times New Viking have just released their second full lenth and third overall realease of the year Body Langauage and the new set finds the quintet picking up where they left us on both the Tough City EP and their charging debut LP, Private Airplane by sharpening their focus to their artful distillation of 90's lo-fi in conjunction with intelligent songwriting, buzzing guitars and gigantic pop hooks. Connections recorded Body Lanuguage at a brisk pace and according to a recent Facebook post, the band have no plans of slowing their pace as they will be headed back into the studio shortly to churn out another healthy collection of power chord pop anthems. Check Body Language's Summer Creeps for the catchiest damn thing we've heard this year.



Last spring, Berlin based Mincer Ray issued A Magnates Reach, a sturdy and engaging collection of skewed indie pop. The trio features three distinctive songwriters, two American's and a Brazillian, all of whom contribute to the varied texture of the EP. Initially we had our doubts,was Mincer Ray another GBV retread or Tobin Sprout tribute band? We're happy to report all our suspicions were unfounded. Yes, there's an obvious Guided By Voices influence at work here, but Mincer Ray exhibits quite a bit of precision as well as unique song craft which enables the trio to distribute five diverse and exuberant songs, that will make you wish A Magnates Reach was about five tracks longer.

Benefit Rock:: Clicky Clicky Music Blog Presents A Benefit For Community Servings

On Sunday our pals over at Clicky Clicky Music Blog Present A Benefit for Community Servings at T.T. The Bears Place. Jay Breitling and Co. have assembled a gargantuan line-up for a great cause that features our cities finest purveyors of noise drenched post punk and intelligent noise pop. The evening will feature performances from scuzz poppers earthquake party!, the discordant guitar cacophony of Soccer Mom, and the dream pop of The Hush Now who are set to return with a recently recorded new LP. Also in tow is none other than K. Heasley of indie stalwarts, Lilys  and DJ sets by Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz.

The show will raise money for Community Servings, is a not-for-profit food and nutrition program providing services throughout Massachusetts to individuals and families living with critical and chronic illnesses. We give our clients, their dependent families, and caregivers appealing, nutritious meals, and send the message to those in greatest need that someone cares. Our goals are to help our clients maintain their health and dignity and preserve the integrity of their families through free, culturally appropriate, home-delivered meals, nutrition education, and other community programs.

This is a unique opportunity to see tremendous night of music while lending a hand to those less fortunate in our area. So gather your rock music loving friends, a few dollars for entry and support this worthwhile event. 

For more information check the FB event page and grab advance tickets for the Clicky Clicky event here.

This Weeks Shorts Bursts: Mogwai, Merge Records at 25, & LVL UP

Glasgow's post rock stalwarts, Mogwai have announced the follow up to 2011's hyperbole inducing, Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. On January 21st Mogwai will issue Rave Tapes via Sub-Pop. The band recorded the new set with Delgados' drummer, Paul Savage who also assisted in the recording of the bands landmark Young Team LP. Mogwai has offered up the advance track, Remurdered which finds them delving a little deeper into the electronics they utilized on "Hardcore", on the synth infused instrumental track.



North Carolina's esteemed Merge Records kicked off their 25th anniversary celebration today with the issuing of Superchunk's cover of Misfits'Children In Heat which you can stream below. In addition, the label is currently taking pre-order for Or Thousands of Prizes, a subscription based box set that will be released throughout 2014 and consist of 12 7 inches that will be mostly split releases and includes contributions from The Mountain Goats, Mikal Cronin, Destroyer, and of course the aforementioned Superchunk. These singles are exclusive to the box set and not available separately or in stores, proceeds from of Or Thousands of Prizes will go to Oxfam America. You can pre-order this unique release at the Merge Store now.



Splitting time between Spook Houses, LVL UP and running the Double Double Whammy imprint, Dave Benton and his co conspirators have been delivering a steady flow of impressive scuzz pop releases and the new LVL UP release is no exception, a split release with label mates, Porches. LVL UP's contribution, Across The Sea starts with gently strummed acoustics and Benton's affecting and warbling vocal delivery before giving way to a blast of Pinketonesque guitar fuzz with titanic hooks. Currently, LVL UP have hooked up with Boston's post hardcore dynamos, Pile for several shows in the Southeast.

An Introduction: Worms

Last spring Amherst's rising sludge punk trio, Worms issued their self tiled debut full length digitally via the DIY collective Dark World and recently on vinyl thorough Last Watt Records and to say we've been a bit slack jawed ever since, is a total understatement. Worms play loud, fuzz covered, hardcore leaning punk with sizable pop hooks. Consisting of guitarist/vocalist Chris Wardlaw as well as brothers Lucus (bass) and Dana Kendall (drums) Worms existed for a few years as Whirl, at least until they we're forced to change their name after another artist legally known as Whirl issued a cease and desist order. The band answered this legal entanglement by issuing a striking punk recording that could only come from Western, MA. It's no surprise these guys formed at the same High School that can lay claim to Deep Wound and Dinosaur Jr. The Pioneer Valley is already having a banner year, what with handful of records guaranteed to show up on many year end lists, but perhaps none more affecting or punishing as the one Worms have issued. Hardcore pop is that a thing? If so, I'm in.  Worms new set hearkens backs to the genre's heyday, while delivering something wholly unique, complete with strained vocals, charging guitars, driving rhythms and intelligent  song writing, that you'd swear was captured in a metal container, but in this case recorded in a proper studio on Cape Cod. Worms, Worms, Worms!

Reviewed :: Guillermo Sexo - Dark Spring

Growing up in the suburbs of Boston and having an older brother who thankfully had a keen interest in making sure I was educated on the happenings of the Boston music scene, left a big impression in my formidable years. Seminal records from bands such as The Neighborhoods, Gang Green, and The Outlets just to name a few, were etched into my brain and those albums and this scene remain important to me. So, it's thrilling to find it in it's current thriving state, arguably like never before with a rich and expansive collection of musicians in several different splinter scenes once again making important music. From Allston to Brighton to Somerville there is an extensive amount of talented bands who have solidified Boston as one of the most important music city's of the moment, perhaps none more so than Cambridge's Guillermo Sexo.

Over the better part of a decade Guillermo Sexo have issued an impressive collection of material that expertly marries, psych, shoegaze and dream pop. For those paying attention, those releases found the band successfully pushing their sound to new and exciting places and on their Midriff Records  debut full length, Dark Spring the quartet of Reuben Bettsak, Noell Dorsey, Elliot Anderson, and Ryan Connolly continue that tradition while expanding their sonic palate with elements of British folk and cacophonous noise rock, which may explain why Dark Spring captivating listen from start to finish. One of the strengths of this album is Guillermo Sexo's ability to exhibits both subtlety and restraint a midst some of the bands more complex and raucous material. The LP opens with All Whispers, a moody guitar pop track that features Noell Dorsey delivering a strong brooding vocal while the rest of the band provides whirling guitar fuzz and throbbing rhythms. The way Reuben Bettsak and Dorsey's vocals combine and harmonize throughout the album only adds to this records varied and captivating tapestry, this is showcased on my current obsession of this LP, the discordant and explosive Carried A Golden Heart. If the lo-fi Brit Folk of Moonlight Sparrows is the curve ball of the record , then maybe I can finally hit a curve, this track wouldn't sound out off place next to anything on GBV's Alien Lanes and that's a high compliment in around here. The truth of the matter is that on any given day I could write this review and have no problem highlight three or four other songs, which speaks to the quality of this album, I believe that's because Dark Spring is an impeccable rock record that requires your attention and Guillermo Sexo is a band poised on something substantial and this record proves that in spades.

Tonight Guillermo Sexo will celebrate the release of Dark Spring at The Middle East along with Marconi (last show), Boggie Boy Metal Mouth, and Doze. Check the FB event page for the deets.

Radio Session:: A Live Performance & Conversation with Slowdim

Last week Slowdim's Paul Sentz and Ana Karina DaCosta joined us on 95.9 FM WATD's The Alternative with Chris Atwood for a couple local craft brews and to discuss all things Slowdim as well as our Summer Fades show. Paul and Karina treated us to three songs off of their exemplary self titled debut LP, which included a compelling reworking of Wishing Well for the Mandolin. The band is in the early stages of planning the release of an EP and will be playing a couple of Boston area shows at the end of the month.

8/30/2013
Slowdim Live In Studio Performance
95.9 FM WATD's The Alternative
+Up Stream
+Wishing Well
+Birds

Tonight: The Ash Gray Proclamation Proudly Present Summer Fades

Tonight we welcome the approaching autumn equinox with Summer Fades, A Free Boston Music Showcase in the heart of downtown Plymouth to celebrate those warm days in the surf, late afternoon cookouts and look onward to crisp leaf covered mornings with cornstalks propped up in the front yard, but most of all with Summer Fades we celebrate the fertile Boston Music scene in the shadows of the Mayflower II.

The night will kick of with a Sneak Preview of Dark Spring the highly anticipated and forthcoming album from Boston's dream psych outfit, Guillermo Sexo. The LP will be released by Midriff Records on September 24th, but tonight we get to play you all 11 tracks for you and we are expecting a visit from a member or two from Guillermo Sexo to stop in for this special album screening. From there you can anticipate Live sets from three of Boston's best and brightest, including the muscular indie pop of Slowdim, the intelligent noise pop of Eldridge Rodriguez, and the euphoric psych drone blues of The New Highway Hymnal. Summer Fades is a free event and sponsored by Cisco Brewers of Nantucket. So grab the car keys, a friend or two, a fall favorite, perhaps Galaxie 500 or Yo La Tengo and point that vehicle to Plymouth, skip The Plantation and go straight to The New World Tavern at 56 Main Street in Historic Plymouth, as we watch and listen as Summer Fades.

Noise & Pop: A Conversation With Cameron Keiber Of Eldridge Rodriguez

Cameron Keiber is perhaps best known as the co-frontman of Boston's indie stalwarts The Beatings or perhaps as a co-founder of Midriff Records  the Boston/NYC based indie label he operates with his brother Clayton. However, over the past few years Cameron has been largely focused on writing and recording staggering noise pop under the moniker Eldridge Rodriguez.We recently got the chance to catch up with Cameron to discuss the recording of his next album, his label, a short lived project called No Love and playing this weekends AGP Presetned Summer Fades event.

Bryan Hamill : The last we spoke in this forum you had recently released You Are Released, how have the past couple of years since that release effected the music you are making these days?

Cameron Keiber: I think that with each album I work on I learn how to be a better writer and producer. I've learned how to not treat the work as too precious. It allows me to take more risks and be a better listener and in turn the writing has become stronger and more assured. I'm just trying new things with each album and I'm realizing that that new thing is often opening myself up more and more with each record. I think the first 2 full lengths and couple EP's where written as if I was an observer to the process or a passive participant, and I think that's a cop out. I'm trying to say what I mean as plainly as possible and stand behind it more now than I did before. It's really all you have. People don't expect you to be sincere in pop music. They expect you to be sentimental or saccharine or maudlin but not sincere and that excites me.

Bryan: What can you tell us about the recording of the in progress Eldridge Rodriguez album in terms of the line up and direction of the new tracks that you are currently working on?

Cameron: There has been a different line up for the band every few years and albums and I'm not sure why. But it's a trend and because of that we get new people involved which is great because you get to play to their strengths and skill set. The crew I have with me right now is wonderful. We are doing things closest to the way that I hear them in my head without compromising what the rest of the guys want to hear. Dennis (Grabowski ) and I have been playing together since college and through The Beatings so he knows how I write and I trust his instincts and that partnership is solid. Clayton (Keiber) has a very similar aesthetic as I do so we talk the same language with regard to noise and pop and tones and such and Dave(Grabowski) does stuff that blows my mind. He is a big electronic buff and he knows how to get those blips and buzzes that I wasn't able to get before he came on. It's a really great band.

Bryan: How does the Eldridge Rodriguez material differ from the material you've recorded with The Beatings or with No Love?

Cameron: No Love, a band I brought together over a year ago, fired me last week. I don't know why, you'd have to ask them.
The Beatings aren't as interested in trying new instrumentation, tech, etc. They are very comfortable and set in the way we record and write currently. For better or worse, I couldn't do what I'm doing now in Eldridge Rodriguez with The Beatings. It wouldn't get past the introductory stage. So I'm happy that I have an outlet to do this type of material with people who dig it, as it's become my primary venue.

Bryan: How has Midriff Records evolved since that label was started to help promote The Beatings recorded output?

Cameron: Clayton and I run the day to day instead of Mike and Tony. Aside from that, not a whole lot. The core principals of releasing sincere music regardless of genre and current trends remains. We've gotten a lot more bands on the roster and have a bigger footprint now, but the stuff that matters, the integrity and continuing to build everything from the ground up guided by a DIY ethos is intact. Everything is still totally hands on.

Bryan: You recently singed Guillermo Sexo and will release there new album, Dark Spring. Can you tell me how that partnership came about?

Cameron: We've known Reuben (Bettsak) from the scene for a couple of years now and they sent us the EP that they self released this past Spring and we flipped over Bring Down Your Arms and started talking with them about doing a full length.

Bryan: What can we expect from your set at this weekends AGP Presented Summer Fades show?

Cameron: Noise and pop... combined. We'll be doing a lot from the upcoming album. Hopefully people will dig it. If they don't, hopefully it doesn't ruin their night.

Bryan: You recently confirmed a show on September 8th at T.T. The Bears as part of their week long 40th Anniversary Celebration. What does it mean to you to be able to join the festivities?

It's really nice to be asked. The Beatings have a long history with the club and they've always been very good to Eldridge Rodriguez, as has Boston Emissions who are curating the night. I'd like to be all bravado and say that I expected to be asked, but the truth is I didn't. I totally expected that celebratory week to go off without a hitch without me. Now they have a hitch.





Eldridge Rodriguez plays The AGP's Summer Fades with Slowdim and The New Highway Hymnal at The New World Tavern in Plymouth on Sunday September 1st.

*Photo Credit: Johnny Anguish of Daykamp Music

This Weeks Short Bursts: Kal Marks, Joanna Gruesome + Winter

Boston's DIY scene mainstays, Kal Marks are prepping to issue their sophomore LP, Life Is Murder on September 17th on Sophomore Lounge, Midnight Werewolf, and the stalwartly Exploding In Sound Records. The new set marks the recorded debut of the solidified line up of Carl Shane with drummer Nick Egersheim and bassist Mike Geacone. The band recorded the tracks found on Life Is Murder with Richard Maar at Watertown's Galaxy Park studio. Over the the past few weeks Kal Marks have served up a couple tracks off their forthcoming album, first they treated us with the inspired and fuzzed covered title track which features guest vocals from Jonah Furman of Boston's bugcore trio Krill, then came the teetering and dense sludge pop of Parking Lot. Which brings us to this weeks offering, the third single from Life Is Murder and quite possibly our favorite track of the new collection, Where A River Starts And Ends, which finds Kal Marks immersed in driving rhythms, charging and dense guitars with Shane delivering a sneering yet compelling vocal. The band will head out on a U.S. tour shortly after the release of their new LP, but will return in time for a TBA homecoming show on Saturday October 12th.





Cardiff's rising noise pop concern, Joanna Gruesome have announced they will issue there debut album, Weird Sister via Slumberland Records in the U.S. on September 10th and one day prior via Fortuna Pop! in Europe. The Welsh five piece has just issued their second single, Sugarcrush in advance of the release. The track features a pristine boy/girl vocal harmonies which float above a cacophony of dissonant guitar crunch that successfully lends some balance to the dark themes that run throughout that track and reportedly the entire LP. The bulk of Weird Sister was reportedly written during the bands month long stay in a seedy Brighton, England hotel called The Hell House with the quintet recording the tracks with MJ of the revered Hookworms. Now with U.S. label representation, we're thinking and hoping that increases the chance for a stateside visit this fall from this thrilling and lauded pop collective.



It's a bit bittersweet that we report on the new single from Winter, just days after vocalist and front woman, Simara Winter announced that she is planning on relocating to the West Coast in short order. The band recently gave what were billed as there final Boston performances, at least for the immediate future. However the band plans on continuing to write and record with the current line up of Nolan Eley ,Kyle Oppenheimer both of Infinity Girl, and Ana Karina DaCosta who also spends time in 28 Degrees Taurus and Slowdim. On the new single, Alligator the band addresses the impending move over lush instrumentation, boyant bass lines and a enchanting vocal performance from Ms. Winter. We can't seem to hear this too many times, although we've tried. Alligator is a track ripe with understated and charming pop hooks, not to mention I may just be Winter's finest recording to date. Let's hope there is more to come from this quartet regardless of it's geographical preferences.

Plan Accordingly Boston:: Bent Shapes Record Release Show

Plan ahead right now and contact your boss and tell him you will be casually late for the morning meeting, because tonight's triple bill a Great Scott is not to be missed. The night will serve as an album release for the debut full length from Boston's resplendent indie pop trio Bent Shapes. We were instantly won over when we caught them a few years ago, then as Girlfriends and like many of you have followed along to this point which is tonight when they celebrate the release of their debut full length, Feels Weird. We are eager to lay our ears on the bracing and intelligent pop songs that occupy the new LP in the confines of Great Scott. Also in tow is Western MA's punk fuzz outfit Potty Mouth who will issue their new album Hell Bent on September 17th. As if that wasn't nearly enough to get you out on Sunday evening, local sludge pop dynamos, Krill will kick off the evening. We've set our out of office replies accordingly.

Wavves + The New Highway Hymnal|The Paradise Rock Club| 08.01.13

As I made my way to The Paradise on the evening of August 1st to catch the formidable double bill of Wavves along with local  psych punk outfit, The New Highway Hymnal I was struck with the notion that it must be a kind of a big deal for a band that grew up in this area to play this venue for the first time and based on the amount of people that got in the venue prior to their set perhaps I was on to something. Over the past couple of years The New Highway Hymnal have been steadily gaining some well deserved attention for their energetic and high volume Live performances as well as their Vanya Records issued 2012 debut LP, Whispers. The band had just returned home from a short U.S. tour when they took to the stage and treated the near capacity Paradise crowd to an impressive and raucous set witch consisted of several tracks from there aforementioned Whispers as well as new song, all while the Lysergic Factory provided a backdrop of psychedelic imagery. On tracks like Through Stained Glass and Factory Song the band demonstrated a skill for delivering a hypnotic and captivating live performance. The trio of Hadden Stemp, Ameila Gormley, and Travis Hagan played with healthy amounts of precision and chemistry, which might explain the dudes in the mens room asking me "who The fuck was that opening band" to my simple response, that was The New Highway Hymnal.

Wavves walked on stage with little fan fare, strapped their instruments on went at it full bore as they tore through a meticulously executed set with Nathan Williams only pausing briefly to re-tune his guitar and drink a beer. William's focused largely on songs from last spring's, Afraid of Heights LP as well as selections from 2011's King Of The Beach and even pulled out cover of Sonic Youth's 100%, but it was on tracks like Sail To The Sun and Green Eyes where William's displayed his strength as a performer a midst massive hooks and a dense wall of guitar fuzz.

The New Highway Hymnal will play The Ash Gray Proclamation Presented and totally free Summer Fades show with Eldridge Rodriguez and Slowdim at The New World Tavern in Plymouth on September 1st.

Reviewed :: Ovlov - am

When I was introduced to Connecticut's fuzz pop concern, Ovlov a couple of summers ago it only took about 30 seconds into The Valley, the lead track of their terrific debut EP, WASGTC?, before I was hooked. A rare eureka moment that causes you to play the shit out a bands every recorded moment, tell your friends, and pseudo friends and really anyone who will listen of the existence of a band that must be heard. Earlier this month The Hartlett Brothers, Steve (guitar/vocals), Theo (drums), and Jon (bass), issued am, there hotly anticipated and completely satisfying debut full length via Exploding In Sound Records.

The LP kicks of with a combination of crashing guitar fuzz and sweet dual vocals courtesy of Steve Hartlett and Sadie Dupuis, that track is just one of four songs to feature vocals from the Speedy Ortiz fronter, the album also features three member of Grass Is Green, with GIG's Michael John Thomas III getting credited with the albums production. Throughout am the trio discharges an impressive collection of taught and distortion drenched pop song while making use of some 1990's indie touchstones such as Dinosaur Jr., and Blonde Redhead,  but as they exhibit on one of the albums standouts, Moth Rock Ovlov manage to create something unique and exciting yet instantly gratifying and familiar, a little like chatting with that old friend that introduced you to Silkworm in college. On tracks like Blue Baby and Where's My Dini? the trio display an penchant for delivering strong melodies and subtle hooks, albeit those ripe melodies and hooks are covered in multiple layers of dense fuzz, but that only lends to the albums varied and addictive landscape.

All and all, Ovlov manage to exceed expectations they set with WASGTC? and the Not The Same Without single, simply by displaying their strength for crafting material that is as precise as it is cathartic, not to mention an LP filled with 10 high caliber tracks all while burying the needles into the red.

Video Transmissions :: The Flaming Lips - Turning Violent

Back in April Oklahoma's pysch rock luminaries, The Flaming Lips released a real grower with, The Terror. After many listens we are of the opinion that The Terror is possibly the bands most challenging work to date, it's both paranoid and complex in spades. With news of The Lips headlining a show on September 30th at The Agganis Arena, we're eager to hear this material in the Live setting. Last week the band posted a new video for the album track Turning Violent and earlier today a clip that was shot during the same session which finds the band turning in a cover of Devo's, Gates Of Steel which you can access at theflaminglips.com complete with a psychedelic freakout, would you expect anything less?