This Tough, Troubled Romance Is Sadly Over...

Last year I mentioned the excellent cassette Illnesses by London based subversives Tough Troubles. Based around detailing a
condition, an illness, the onset of a disease, a hereditary syndrome,
a chromosome mutation, it was a deliberately obtuse listen, yet when given the time and effort was an incredible hanger-on, almost like a tapeworm sapping your energy whilst making you hungry for more. Now it's time to say hello to their new release, Romances - and also goodbye, as the trio (which includes two Aussies) call it a day.

As before, the dark synth/cheap drum machine/distorted vocals/post punk dirge remains intact, but the band maintain that this is an album dedicated to love - ever tangential relation to the rather large subject matter, anyway. As before, it is also incredibly good, and baffles as to why this must end. We need more new wave raconteurs that know how to subvert rather than pander to past glories by bands much better than themselves.

Negative Guest List were to be responsible for putting Romances out, until the untimely death of its editor Brendon Annesley in early Feb at the tender age of 22. Such a strong and original advocate of music in general, and outsider, truly driven acts in particular, it's a incredible loss. I may have never been a fan of his band Meat Thump, I really enjoyed his zine and the realness of his passion, something that is omitted far too often today. Therefore Tough Troubles have instead put it out digitally here. At least try it for this sad postscript. Its a great album worthy of everyone's time.

Tough Troubles - Alone At The Edge Of The Universe
Tough Troubles - Give Me Back My Things
Tough Troubles - Annie Died

Some Aussie Day Flavour That Isn't Bloody Goyte

Happy Australia Day! I'm incredibly hungover after another successful Sonic Masala show, bur raring to do it all again! Before I do, though, here are some Aussie bands doing good that you wont find on the Australian yoof channel's top 100 shitfest.


Blank Realm are a band that are incessant in their breakneck rise into the centre of the sun. Unlike Icarus, this Brisbane quartet want to feel the molecule-rending heat, to feel themselves morph with a might much greater than their own. Such a brazen exploratory outlook is evident in their ever-evolving live shows, which can swing from skronky pop to languid psych to rampant rock to slacker malaise, at times within the one instrumental interlude. Negative Guestlist is hoping to extend such an exciting reputation by releasing the band's latest 7", which you can buy in physical form here. Listen to the track below and tell me how these guys aren't huge already. They are bringing out their next album, the follow-up to the great Deja What, later this year through Siltbreeze, so you never know, their time may come before the Mayans bring it all to an end...

Falling Down the Stairs by Blank Realm


Gold Coast duo Bleeding Knees Club are more likely to get a run on Triple J, seeing as their MO consists of thrashy-yet-addictive straight-cap surf rock. The boys (BOYS! Just look at 'em!) have stuck as close to the Wavves musical aesthetic as they possibly can, and it really clicks. Next month sees the arrival of their debut LP Nothing To Do, which should see them explode into some sepia-tinged hipster frenzy, but when the music is as addictive as this, fair dues.

Bleeding Knees Club - Teenage Girls


Chinese Burns may be flung across the state of Queensland, but when this trio get together the results are sweaty, salty and magic. They have just released their Calculator 7", and it is all kinds of awesome. Seeing them play live is a once in a blue moon event, and life-changing (maybe). Buy this record now, support these fuckers so that they give up their day jobs and treat us to more music - seriously good stuff.




Finally there is this album from Woollen Kits. The Melbourne act's debut is the first great Australian album of 2012. GET IT.

Woollen Kits - For You

Enjoy the festivities kids!