Black Tambourine-ing Is Hard

Falmouth, UK band The Black Tambourines have been on my radar since they released a split with New Years Evil on Art Is Hard Records back in 2010. Earlier this year they finally released their eponymous debut record, also through the boutique label from South West England, and the result is pretty much what you would expect - breathless, chugging surf-tinged garage rock that swirls around with a pinch of psych rock. The shorter the song, the better they are - 'Lemon' doesn't break 80 seconds, and could be an off-cut from Ty Segall's earliest scuzzy endeavours. There's nary a shift in momentum - it is all tethered to the railroad tracks, albeit travelling at the speed of light. The foursome love to dish out a trashed out party vibe, and The Black Tambourines certainly distills that into an easily digestible aural pill. Drop it and spazz out. You can pick up the LP (and other Black Tambourines-related guff) here.

Friday Cover Up - Killing Three Posts WIth One Pizza

We have always been fans of Art Is Hard Records - they put the fun back in loving music. But I have let the last couple of releases slide by me.

NO MORE!


Firstly, there is the cassette by Mazes' main man Jack Cooper, Art Is Cheap. It's some splendid shimmery lo-fi pop, lovely for a sunny Friday afternoon - or pretending to be lying around in one. Cooper may have superseded his band on this one, which makes this an imperative purchase. There are still some of these available, which is a goshdarn crime, so let's amend this and buy them up, pronto! (I'm a big fan of the song titles too - I too have always wondered what Fanfarlo means...)




Secondly is this lovingly packaged EP tape from Gorgeous Bully, The Young Obese. The physical version of this release is packaged in a handprinted cigarette style case, a ferociously DIY tactile notion from a ferociously DIY Thom of Gorgeous Bully, a prolific song writer and the cassette features a 'secret' bside filled with Gorgeous Bully demos previously unavailable to own. This sexy package is unfortunately sold out, but you can hit AIH hard to make them re-release it, ok? In the swingtime, you can get a digital copy of The Young Obese here, and listen below.




Finally, AIH are three singles deep (dish) into their Biweekly 5" Pizza Club. They've pledged to release a new single every other Friday afternoon for the entirety of 2012. The single will be available for free download via their Bandcamp, but if you are quick off the mark and are the first purchaser, you can glean for yourself a one-of-a-kind CD in a 5" pizza box. Sweet huh? The bands to delve into this rad concept thus far have been the ever-excellent Bos Angeles (dying for the longer release guys...), Fruschian Void And The Headfolks, and Perfect Hair Forever. They are all great, and below. Two of them are great cover versions - hence today's elongated Friday Cover Up. So not only does this end a pretty good week, but hopefully instills in you a heady sense of anticipation for the rest of AIH's ideas for 2012. Have a good weekend people!

Bos Angeles - When You Look At Me (KEEL HER cover)
Fruschian Void and Thee Headfolks - Youth (The Black Tambourines cover)
Perfect Hair Forever - My Teen Idol

Kicking Back In With Some Black Tambourine(s)

Wow, a quiet week (IE no posts AT ALL). I apologise. It isn't going to get much better over the next few weeks though, what with the avalanche of international bands bombarding Brisbane and the heady Christmas celebrations going on around here. I had such a handle on December last year too...sigh.

Well, I thought Id give you some good stuff anyway. Here is the EP from Cornish devils The Black Tambourines, Chica. Art Is Hard are putting out this hedonistic slice of dark-corner-of-the-garage fuzz, and it'd make a lovely little Christmas entree. In fact, I will have a multitude of cool Christmas gifts in the forthcoming posts that you could consider for those you truly love. Anyway, listen to Chica below, then take '27-25 Blues' home with you. Go on - you deserve it.



The Black Tambourines - 27-25 Blues

You'll Have A Lot Of Friends With Some Black Tambourines

UK's "Kings of the Southwest Slackers" The Black Tambourines put out a new track just on the eve of Halloween (yes, about a fortnight ago, I'm so lame and shit...) It's been a while between recording drinks for these guys, but this track is ace of base! Art Is Hard are putting out the EP in December, which is great news and even more exciting considering the quality of this first off-cut.

The Black Tambourines - A Lot Of Friends

Fancy some Tambourine with some Evil?

South West England's best new independent label Art Is Hard are riding high after their excellent first release Brink Of The Clouds, which came with individual Tshirt designs - remember that? Well the second release is on its way, and it is awesome. Whilst the gimmick quotient has been dialled down, the attention to detail has not, and it is a perfect showcase of two of SW England's great acts to highlight their new sonics. Exeter's New Years Evil (the press release says No Age covering The Wedding Present - cant really fault that!) combine with Falmouth's The Black Tambourines for a 7" split that is trussed up to the nines in special garb. Art Is Hard have worked with some of their fave photographers to ensure that each 7" comes with an original print, and just to spoil you, there's a digital copy and a zine for your hard earned dosh when its released on November 29. Bargain, right? Right. If you doubt me, head to soundcloud and taste the two tracks on offer - you wont be disappointed...

And well done to to New Year's Evil who have picked up a support slot for Wild Nothing on their Cargo show on November 11! Rad.