Why do we still live here in this repulsive town?
All our friends are in New York.
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Indie List Digest!
September 8, 1994
Volume 4 Number 2
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Portishead
mighty morphin
Tickle, Pee Chees, and Tourettes
Man, Or Astroman
ANNOUNCE: Vineland et al
ANNOUNCE: Some Drag City dates
ANNOUNCE: Free Concert in Poughkeepsie
ANNOUNCE: New mailing lists
AD: Spiffy
One addenda from last week. Matt Kelly of Cool Beans 'zine, wrote to
remind us of two considerations when ordering his zine from him. The
mail cost is actually $3.00 (not $3.50 as I erroneously listed), and
he only accepts well-concealed cash, not checks. Sorry for the
confusion!
-es
The compilation blues. We all have them, don't we? A long road trip
looms before you, and you know you've played all your tapes to death,
and there's a ton of vinyl or CDs piling up that you haven't gotten to
listen to as much as you wanted, and before you know it you're
monopolizing the living room stereo in quest of filling up that 90 or
100-minute tape, asking yourself, 'What can I live with having on the
stereo when it's just me and 100 miles to the next Taco Bell?"
That's where I've found myself now and again this summer, most
recently finishing a "Culled from Complilations" tape to take to Minneapolis.
Started off pulling some stuff from the year's "definitive"
compliations, A Day in the Park and Why Do You Think They Call it Pop?
Plenty has been written about these two, so I'll move along to the
Jabberjaw Good to the Last Drop Compilation (Mammoth) which somehow
found its way into our house. I like these kinds of things because I
get a chance to hear a three-or-so minute dose of things like
Chokebore, which I wouldn't normally buy. I liked the tracks by Hole
(an oddly invigorating version of 'Rock Star'), Southern Culture on
the Skids (goofy surf guitar instrumental), Teenage Fanclub (nearly as
good as 'Everybody's Fool'), Surgery (kinda contrived rockabilly) Mule
(will scare the rednecked pickup-drivin' dudes who pull up next to you
at the red light) Beck (weirdly Ween-like hiphop). This also contains
stuff by Unwound, Girls Against Boys, Jawbox, Seaweed, and That Dog,
among others, so be advised.
Breezing right by the eerily pseudo-hip Geffen Rarities 1 that Eric
was supposed to review for the radio station (I taped the Beck song,
but that's it. Just don't bother. I'm glad we didn't buy this.) to
move right along to Velocity Girl's cover of New Order's "Your Silent
Face," a 7" on Merge. Despite the downright cheery tempo they've
given this song, VG do it very straightfacedly, for which they deserve
some credit. I may tire of this soon, though.
A couple of years ago, I was forced to listen to a jazz combo calling
itself Schwa play drowsy free-form in a smoky pizza joint in Ohio.
Imagine my delight, then, when finding out that the Schwa va
responsible for the 'Internalize/Dr. Mary McClean' 7" on Brilliant
Records was actually a straight-up pop band with an early '80s
sensibility. Since they sound so skinny-tie, it's appropriate that
they're now called Fashion Central, which may clear up some of this
confusion, although it might be cooler if they just kept changing
their name every six months or so.
Decided to finish up with some angry-sounding white people: Envelope,
whose minimalist guitar buzz pleases me, but whose vocalist,
remarkably, manages to keep himself worked up to about the same
general level of sneering irritation throughout the 'Trophy/Try Again'
single on Remora; Calvin Johnson, who spews all over K's Dub Narcotic
'Fuck Shit Up' 7" ['waste a pig/Diana Rigg!'] over a great
bass/guitar/organ groove; and the Smears, whose 'Nutbag woman with a
fucked-up life/and nothing to do but bitch at me' chorus from their
Hell Yeah! 7" is somehow reassuring to me on those days when the place
where I work is more like a loony bin than an office.
Where does it end? You tell me. If the IL submissions don't pick up a
bit, I may be forced to write more often...and then you'll really be
sorry!
az
------------------------------
From: Julian@sahiber.demon.co.uk (Architect of A Belly)
Portishead - Dummy (LP review)
Portishead - Dummy (Go! Discs)
As James Nash reviewed the single, I figure I can do the LP! It's
funny that he mentioned the Tindersticks, as in my review on another
list I drew the same comparison - despite being a hip-hop LP (or even
'trip-hop' to use the latest phrase), this is steeped in the same
late-late-night sleepless atmosphere as the finest Tindersticks, &
Mazzy Star songs, without sounding like either.
Like the Tindersticks there's a heavy filmic influence to the music,
particularly John Barry's spy film scores - though it's more 'The
Persuaders' than James Bond.
There's also plenty of live instruments, and a peculiarly thick
viscous sound to the scratch mixing (yes, it's back) - it
definitely does not sound like a 'machine made' record - it's not
dissimilar to Massive Attack in that, but there's a whole different
feel.
What really lifts it above all that though is Beth Gibbons' voice - if
Mazzy Star & Madder Rose are understated country & blues, this is the
perfect understated soul/jazz voice - no showiness whatsoever.
I know it's a cliche to say 'It may be a hip-hop LP but . . .' but
in this case it's true - the reference points & themes are far closer
to indie culture (post-midnight depression, loneliness & late '60s
films) than mainstream rap, and it's one of those rare records that
rather than being a good example of its genre (i.e. say Heavenly)
transcends it.
Oh yeah, I've seen a few clips of their Harry Palmer tribute film, 'To
Kill A Dead Man' and it looks superb - b&w film, stylish old cars and
assasins in shades. It's apparently touring UK arts cinemas as a
support to 'Get Carter.'
------------------------------
From: dann <DLM94001@UConnVM.UConn.Edu>
mighty morphin power rangers & th deodorant they prefer
a new year. hope that everybody's summer was fabulous & filled w/good
stuff. mine was spent in california, as a summer camp counselor fr 15
year olds w/ masturbation fixations (i.e. chanting "mas-tur-ba-tion"
@ th dinner table, writing " viva masturbation!" on walls, etc.).
in between all this i got to go to a bunch of shows, most
@ th sooperad l.a. club dey call "jabberjaw"... bikini kill was th
highlite & rocked, but only was on fr a 1/2 hr. heavens to betsy,
godhead silo, slug & lowercase were also excellent performers on this
quaint stage, th surprise winner being excuse 17, whom i enjoyed
excessively.
got to see throneberry @ th alligator lounge, which was
fun. not my favorite type of music, but good songs & an ok set made a
fun night indeed. th people were kind & i blow them all kisses; will
prop & review my favorite l.a. ones next week/near future. (it's a
busy year) saw cheesecake too actually last week in cambridge which
was big fun. (they were on th stars kill rock comp & have a new 7"
out that's pretty rad.)
nu stereolab, archers of loaf, (10"/cd to be released verrry soon)
rancid, karp, slug, fifth column & pitch- blende lps highly
recommended. (heavens to betsy, karp, cheesecake, & notsonu huggy
bear -on gravity- as far as 7"s go.) it's so nice to be (gasp!) back @
school & back @ th radio station again...really looking forward to
upcoming kicking giant & small (23) lps, & i hear that mecca normal
moved to matador.
looking fr an amrep 7" w/jawbox/guzzard/godheadsilo/? & another comp
(wgns, i think,th studio) w/helium & pitchblende. has either been
released yet? please fill me in if you know.
kinda almost done w/zine ("i love you") which
has been turning kinda bigger than i expected. as soon as i figger
out a way to afford photocopies, i'll let you know. (i don't want ads
& want to sell as low as possible.) any advice besides getting a job
would be appreciated. (i'm already working on that.)
currently, biggest project is promoting & booking @ lil' known club in
eastern connecticut called "studio 158." it's an all ages $5 mostly
punk/indie club less than 2 hrs away from most eastern major cities/
musiclands.(worchester, providence, boston, new haven, danbury,
northampton) less than 10 minutes away from uconn. my 1st show is fr
kicking giant, who will be around october 18th. (it's atues, but th
show starts a lil early fr hiskoolers & travelers) there will be 2 fab
opening bands that i am still working on, & it should be great fun.
other hilites include 5'10" on 9/16 (kevin seconds' new band w/members
of tiger trap & drop acid) & universal order of armageddon (amazing
live band) either th 21st or 22nd of october. th more support, th
more options i have booking bands. if yr doin th music touring thing
& yr from somewhere far away & need a place to play in ct, get in
touch w/me. oh, and thumbs up fr "tripmaster monkey", a soopercool
novel by maxine hong-kingston. telegraph 2 is highly recommended- let
mark know how much you want it.
& finally, a quote to leave you w/... "i'm already th only one
w/a wiener, why do i need a fanzine?" -sara unwound
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo,
dann medin.
*chaka khan is th antichrist*
------------------------------
From: lroberts@bellahs.com (Laurence Roberts RD)
Tickle, Pee Chees, and Tourettes show review
I went and saw Tickle, the Pee Chees, and the Tourettes on Sunday,
Sept 4, 1994, at the Thirsty Swede (formerly the Nightbreak.)
Tickle are a drums-guitar-vocals (no bass) trio. The boy singer has a
high voice, and yells more than sings. If you close your eyes, you'd
think you were listening to a riot grrrl band. They're really good.
The songs are catchy, if a little limited in variety due to the simple
instrumentation. The guitarist and drummer are both technically good.
Due to microphone problems, probably exacerbated by the singer's
tendency to sing into the side of the mike; it was hard to hear, let
alone understand lyrics -- the only one I could make out was "Don't
pull my hair/don't lift up my dress." Once again, a band of kids prove
that it's possible to be a great band without being a bunch of old
geezers with a huge record collection. They don't have any recordings
yet, though.
[hey, am i an old geezer yet? -az]
The Pee Chees were kind of a disappointment. Molly of Bratmobile
played drums, but this band was nothing like Bratmobile. The other
three members were boys, and the singer kind of dangled from the
microphone like he was drunk. At one point, It sounded like they were
messily covering Halo of Flies' "Garbage Rock." Someone else said
they'd seen them at Gilman St. and they were much better, like a
totally different band, and speculated that they were less drunk that
time. I haven't heard the single (which is packaged like the school
folders that are the band's namesake). I think a lot of the audience
was expecting a Bratmobile type band, but at least they had Tickle to
satify them.
The Tourettes were an all-woman band, and were not technically great,
but were kind of fun. I think they did a Joan Jett cover, or
something like that, but now I can't remember what it was.
Queer punk news:
The Outpunk Dance Party compilation CD is back from the pressing
plant, and the other formats will be soon... should be in the stores
in a couple weeks. Also out is a new Tribe 8 single, and a reissue on
all 3 formats of the Dyke in the Pit compilation single. Pansy
Division have gone on the road again. Fagbash are rumored to be
moving to New York.
Larry-bob
lroberts@bellahs.com
------------------------------
From: julian@sahiber.demon.co.uk (Julian Lawton)
Man, Or Astroman
The Blocked/Yeti Goose Creature/Man Or Astroman
@ The Legendary TJs, Newport 5th September
Love and rocket science, and a fabulous stage show - definitely one
NOT to miss, but first . . .
OK, The Blocked have
1) White trousers
2) Ben Sherman shirts
3) Rickenbacker guitar
4) Rickenbacker bass
5) A 3 piece line-up
6) A Small Faces cover
7) A name referring to getting ripped out of your head on Purple
Hearts
8) A guitarist who does windmills
9) A kick the mikes & drums over finale
do I need to get to 10?
Erm, yes, The Jam were indeed one of the best white British acts ever,
and their shadow hangs heavy over quite a lot of the comtemporary New
Wave revival, and actually I DID enjoy this lot, but it did leave me
feeling WHY? This sort of thing is only really good if you actually
get it WRONG (see Blur; also the Pistols & The Jam were getting it
wrong with The Who and The Creation). Still, I'd enjoy seeing them
again. And I'd still think WHY? after.
Yeti Goose Creature are one of the more competent local punky bands
which seem to be clogging up the area - people who long since learnt
to play still in love with a non-muso image, but not realising that
they're still boring you, just at speed. And of course they really
did not need comparing to . . .
Just before I left the house I'd been reading Philip K.Dick short
stories, not intentionally or anything, and musing at how many had
probably been quietly stolen & used as 'Twilight Zone' plots. And lo
& behold if it's not an old Twilight Zone being projected on the back
of the stage, PLUS choice '50s B-movie trailers & dialogue over the
speakers, a band dressed in Rocket Engineer boiler suits, and a great
grasp of how to 'rock out' (ahem) and maintain a sense of humour all
the time. The songs - well, there was the one that sounded like the
Shadows played at 78. And the one that sounded like the Shadows
played at 95. And the one that . . . Just good old surf'n'sci-fi
trash. And I'm pretty impressed by any band that can heckle the
audience with "I don't like your Cowboy Killers/Dub War split single"
(two local bands if you didn't guess).
Perhaps the biggest surprise was how many people turned up - a really
good mixed crowd from the elder punk statesmen to a couple of people I
knew to be 16, and that the audience was bigger than for SM*A*SH a
few weeks back - it's nice to see that sometimes a good reputation can
excede hype.
Julian Lawton - julian@sahiber.demon.co.uk : Work - (0222) 369 369 8
Fairfield Rd, Caerleon, Gwent, UK. NP6 1DQ. : Home - (0633) 422 889
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 people - Nick Curry (aka
Momus)
------------------------------
From: Prgcore94@aol.com
ANNOUNCE: Vineland et al.
Manhattan-area readers may be interested to know about two upcoming
Vineland shows. Those who are not related to me may delete this
message and move on to something else.
At Brownie's, Smack Dab in the Thick of the Avenue A Theme Park, on
Sat. 9/10, at 10 PM (with Strapping Fieldhands & God is my Co-Pilot)
At the Cooler, In the Heart of Manhattan's Picturesque Meatpacking
District, on Thurs. 9/15, at midnight (after Digitalis, Th'Wig, and,
yes, God is my Co-Pilot)
E-mail me for further information. Guest list slots are available on
a first-come, first-serve basis at $10 per.
Jon Fine
prgcore94@aol.com
------------------------------
From: dragcity@mcs.com (Drag City)
ANNOUNCE: Some Drag City (esp. Smog) dates...
Smog present "Burning Kingdom -- The Tour"
9/22 San Diego Casbah
9/23 Los Angeles Jabberjaw
9/24-25 San Francisco Thirsty Swede
9/26 Eugene, OR KWVA
9/27 Seattle, WA Crocodile Cafe
9/28 Vancouver, BC Scratch records
9/30 Minneapolis Uptown (with Plush)
10/1 Chicago Lounge Ax (with Guided By Voices)
10/2 Green Bay, WI Speakeasy
10/3 Columbus, OH Staches
10/5 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
10/6 Philadelphia Swarthmore College
10/7 Princeton, NJ Campus Club
10/8 Durham, NC Duke University
10/10 Cambridge, MA Middle East Cafe (?)
10/12 Houston, TX JUST
10/13 New Orleans, LA FIND THE
10/14 Atlanta, GA SEBADOH
10/15 Athens, GA SHOW!
Interested parties can e-mail us at dragcity@mcs.com
Also Gastr del Sol in Chicago on Sept. 10th, opening for Stereolab,
and a rare appearance of The Red Krayola, in Chicago, Sept. 20th.
Signed,
DC
Drag City P.O. Box 476867 Chicago, IL 60647
------------------------------
From: BEGOLDBERG@vaxsar.vassar.edu
ANNOUNCE: Free Concert in Poughkeepsie
For anybody who is going to be in the Upstate NY area.......
Our radio station is holding a free, outdoor, day concert on Sept.
17th at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY (a one and a half hour
drive/two hour train ride from NYC). The show starts at 12 noon and
will have the following bands (probably in the following order):
Garden Variety
Mind over Matter
Stratotanker
Harmony Balloons (has members of Mercury Rev)
Saturnine 60
Magnetic Fields
In addition, there will be a "second stage" (thanks for the idea,
Perry!) which will feature DJ bands which include, among others, the
Kartuli Ensemble - an a capella all mens choir who sing songs from
13th century Soviet Republic of Georgia, the Receptionists, Salteen
and more. The concert should go to around seven and, again, it's FREE
so you only have to pay for transportation and whatever. Anybody who
would like directions or whatever can get in contact with me - come
out if you'd like.
------------------------------
From: julian@sahiber.demon.co.uk (Architect of A Belly)
ANNOUNCE: New mailing lists
ANNOUNCING a couple of new sort of mailing list thingys
-------------------------------------------------------
Transoma - the list with no idea how to define itself and Indiepop -
the mailing list for even sadder pop losers than the US indie list.
Not being one to do things by halves, and since there's been mutterings
about the non-existence of these two, I've decided to get the ball
rolling and see what happens.
So first up, the provisionally named 'Transoma' - after a Stereolab
song, but more because it's a good sounding meaningless word. The
concept behind the list is a forum for all the stuff that's
off-the-subject on other lists - those easy-listening/jazz-folk/German
experimental/ambient, C20th classical, early post-punk, bossa nova,
etc., obscurities that seem to go with a certain attitude floating in
the air at the moment. Martin Denny meets Martin Duffy & Sandy Sendy,
I suppose. . . and yes I hope there is some duplication with the
indie-list as there's plenty of decent 7"s to introduce to the people
who are going to join this. Something informal where books, films,
artists, comics & the local weather outside are discussed too, but
maintaining a central musical basis.
And yes, I know this place is sometimes like that, but there was a
'NO' vote by most people to big discussions, and the intention is that
this is the place for rambling :-).
Using the pioneering model established by the Indielist Infotainmemt
Junta, I shall gather together & edit the digests, while my partner in
crime will distribute the digest - this is YOUR chance to make
history. I need someone capable of cc: ing mail, and operating their
mail package well enough to easily maintain a group alias - preferably
someone who also has permanent mail access rather than term based,
although in the short term it doesn't matter. I also need someone
with plenty of storage space to archive the list, during its trial
period - hopefully if it takes off we can then try getting it
automated.
Send messages to
transoma@sahiber.demon.co.uk
Please include SUBSCRIBE in the Subject line to, well, subscribe
(otherwise just send a posting and I'll subscribe you anyway).
--
The second list is another one that's been much mooted, and never
started - the US & UK indie lists SHOULD cover this area, but what
with everything else on there, people seem to come & go, such that no
one list has become the forum for the discussion of what's known in
the UK press as indiepop . . .
Again I'm not imposing any major rules on the forum, but the suggested
areas of discussion are Sarah Records, Slumberland, Bus Stop, Pop Bus,
early Creation, Postcard (heresy to link them, I know), 53rd & 3rd,
A Turntable Friend, Summershine, the numerous similar