Shocked Out Of Mind

Remember the Carbonas? The Atlanta ruff punx formed around the time the Twin Towers came down, and proceed to jerk and stutter erratically through three albums and a plethora of smash vertebrae and craniums. There was no way such a combustible force could stay intact, and sure enough the band dissolved to form other, equally cool bands (such as Gentlemen Jesse and GG King). Yet when the boys reformed in 2011 for a few shows it seemed like something was afoot. Unfortunately it wasn't a new Carbonas record, but Josh Martin and Dave Rahn felt the magic in their loins - and joining with Jeremy Thompson (of the excellent GAMES), Shocked Minds was born. They are releasing their eponymous debut on Hozac Records - rough, raucous, passionate, sleazy, rambunctious, and somehow sincere as well - no pretentions here. Their heart is spiked on the jagged edges of 70s punk, yet the tonal snarl is more reminiscent of European discontent rather than the American counterparts. Tight, powerful (even painfully so) - this is an excellent example of how punks can be classicist without stealing; can be angry without posing; can be fun whilst also confronting. Like the best punks, they're a good bunch at their core - just don't look at them sideways.

Shocked Minds can be grabbed here. And you should - it's fucking killer.

Shocked Minds - Confusion
Shocked Minds - You Want Me To Stay

A Killer Hot Lunch Makes Me Smile

 

San Francisco’s Hot Lunch blew me away with their visceral slice of riff-heavy rock on their Killer Smile 7” last year. They are back with a self-titled debut (out through German label Who Can You Trust?, and have just aligned themselves with Tee Pee Records) and it lives up to that release’s promise.

Self-proclaimed punk-n-rollers, the four-piece stampede through nine tracks of unadulterated retro-rock. Eric Shea is a throwback to the 70s era rock frontmen, all swagger, psych lyricism and throat-shedding howls. Aaron Nudelman takes these songs into the stratosphere with his thick-as-fuck guitar lines, whilst Tim Green’s production truly transplants these tracks some forty years in the past. As I stated with Games’ new record, looking back at past influences only works if its authentic and/or original, and Hot Lunch clearly embrace the heathen rhythms of the rock gods of yesteryear.

 

You can grab Hot Lunch here. Tasty.

Hot Lunch – Killer Smile

Vintage Gaming

 

Where the hell did Games come from? When I heard of this self-titled record, I thought it was the Lopatin & Ford coupling, but no, it’s a rock band from New York. The fact it was on Hozac was another giveaway. But it wasn’t until I put this on that something that has been gnawing the back of my mind for a while (at least since immersing myself in the Bed Wettin Bad Boys record – see my thoughts here) truly cemented itself – I fucking love 60s/70s rock and roll. Sure, I'm a massive fan of all kinds of music, and am a massive advocate of the modern garage rock “movement” (I'm not going into it anymore, just read my blog!). But every now and then a band or album presents itself that purely taps into the wellspring of that vintage sound, song structure and vibe, it is genuine and every time it slays me. You can hear the likes of Marc Bolan, Alex Chilton and Paul Westerberg in the songwriting, even the Beatles, some poignant touchstones. Games are a force to be reckoned with – knowing that rock and pop are destined to co-exist, that we got it right in the past, and it’s time to get it right in the present.

 

Games can be gleaned here. I was given this as a birthday present. Thank you so much (you know who you are).

Games – Listen
Games – When The Time

Brothers From Many Musical Mothers...

I dont think Ive come across a more apt band moniker. The duo Bastard Lovechild Of Rock n Roll sound like a mix between The Black Keys, Jack White, The Black Angels, a more bossa nova TV On The Radio, Games, Death From Above 1979, Muse... Im telling you, the term 'mishmash' was invented for this Florida concoction. If there was such a genre as psychedelic disco blues grunge, then BLORR (members' names are Cookie Sugarhips and Hot Damn Sweet Huckleberry Winn) would be the lynchpin. Bim Bom is their first release, and its kaleidoscopic swirls that litter this EP are something to behold - even if it takes a few listens, because it often feels like you have been listening to your playlist on shuffle. Above all, this EP gives the notion that these guys would destroy live - if only they could find a common thread to tie all their wild ideas together...

Bastard Lovechild Of Rock n Roll - Boy You Need Jesus

Bastard Lovechild Of Rock n Roll - Seven Sisters