Mirrors Folding In

London's Gum Takes Tooth was one of the first bands that Paul, the guy who started Sonic Masala with me way back in 2010, introduced me to. I think the first time I saw them play was at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square; the second time the banks of the River Thames. They explore all terrain, not just the sonic; they stretch boundaries both external and internal. Every time I saw them the all-pervasive atmospheres create coalesced into something overtly alien and new. They were a revelation.

The same goes to their recordings also. Mirrors Fold (out through Tigertrap Records) is only their second record, yet it is already leaping through different vectors of sound exploration than the intrinsically heavier debut album Silent Cenotaph rendered, or even the EPs. They have shared stages with bands like Shit and Shine, another of those bands Paul introduced me too. But unlike Shit and Shine, whose moniker is probably the best to ever be committed to a band (the times I have seen them have been in either of those two extremes - when they are good they shine, but when they aren't - Jesus...), there is nothing haphazard on Mirrors Fold. They are more akin to Errors or (and I'm sure this comparison is made a lot) Battles, what with their electronic exuberance that is both dark and febrile, forever pressing percussive beats and cuts into new and claustrophobic realms whilst remaining intrinsically groove-laden. 'This Perfect Surface' is my favourite in this realm. However the groove can suddenly disappear into industrial rabbit hole like 'Bone Weapon', and it's on tracks like this where the live drumming makes a true impact. It's pressure-swelling-in-your-chest/pounding-in-your-head intensity, a carrion call to a dystopian burnt-sky cult, flamed and ingrained. 'Wych Elm' finishes off proceedings, and is some sort of lysergic barbiturate nightmare - a kaleidoscopic downward spiral set at quarter speed.

Every time I listen to Mirrors Fold I hear something new, and can't help but think that this album is a living organism all its own, some HR Geiger body horror writhing beast that will one day jump out of its vinyl skin and morph with my own. Weird. But that is the kind of insidious beauty Gum Takes Tooth have crafted here. It's bloody great. Preorder it here and let it steal your essence. Then double up on the live experience this Saturday as they destroy the Shacklewell Arms.

Video Vacuum - Step-Panther, Spoon, Bo Ningen, Gum Takes Tooth

It's been a while since we dived headlong into the moving image here, so let's go for it! First cab off the rank is Sydney's snots Step-Panther and their great new track 'Nowhere'. Animation at its most simplistic, devilish and stupid - my kind of fun.

Spoon are back! I must admit that I have a soft spot for these guys - Kill The Moonlight is still one of my favourite albums of the last decade. The band have rushed this little clip up of new song 'Rent I Pay' on the interwebz - not sure why it's "unofficial", it's a pretty straightforward affair, all shadows of Britt Daniel performing, but I don't care - it's just good to have the boys back.

London-via-Japan psych acid rockers Bo Ningen have a third place to call home - namely Australia, what with good friends Black Night Crash Records signing the guys up for their distro over here. And it's great to see things haven't gotten any saner with the band - the time they melted my face off at 100 Club in London in 2009 will not remain a distant memory. The film clip by Marie Schuller is incredible, let's go lose our minds.

And whilst still in the land of the United Kingdom, the land I started this fine blog in and (spoiler alert!) the land I will be returning to shortly, I thought we would look in at another band I remember fondly - Gum Takes Tooth. Here is an experimental live recording they did with Jaxson Payne - not as straight up deconstructed punk, but aberrant noise philandering nonsense nonetheless - so of course I think it is great. I'm off to see some bands in a Bearded Lady - enjoy...

Gum Takes Tooth kindly

You've got to love a bit of band/blog mutual appreciation and Gum Takes Tooth were kind enough to give us a mention on their Facebook page, just before new year. Seems they're kinda pleased to make it onto four of our end of year lists, thanks guys. But it seems 2011 is the year the mutated and mangled noise duo take on the best LP list with their debut album due out on Tiger Trap Records April/May time. Its going to be a contender, you know it.

If you can't wait for April then fear not - Gum Takes Tooth have a limited edition triangular transparent 10" E.P due to drop this month, entitled TRI, also on Tiger Trap. Yeah, you read that right triangular transparent 10"...

"Wrapping up debut album. Expect a super limited special triangular single beginning of 2011 with the album following not too long after!"

In the meantime here is a taste of one of those awesome tracks we had last year and this gorgeously shot live video, by Dan Nixon, of the duo warping the Cowley Club. Witness it yourself at The Urban Bar 19th February.


Gum Take Tooth - Tannkjtt


Gum Takes Tooth at the Cowley Club from Dan Nixon on Vimeo.

Sonic Masala's Fave support bands of 2010

Sonic Masala has one rule when it comes gig going... NEVER MISS THE SUPPORT BANDS! You never know what fledgling genius you might stumble upon.

This year we've been privileged to witness some great gigs, something Brendan has rounded up, but a blog like this wouldn't exist without the bands that prop up the big name at the top of the bill. We've discovered many gems doing the hard graft in a supporting role this year, sometimes by accident, sometimes by design and sometimes we've gone just to see the support band in the first place (of course we hung around after). In many cases the support band in question has shone just as brightly, and sometimes outshone their soundcheck-indulged, rider-demanding, bill-topping peers. In truth though many gigs are so well thought out (thanks Upset The Rhythm) that they don't really have a pecking order. In these cases you go to see one band and leave with two or three new faves, everyone is a winner.

So below in no particular order is a list of bands that have rocked up in a supporting slot this year and blown us away. In places it shows just how far some of them have come, in others its a glimpse of the treats that 2011 many hold in store.

Sonic Masala's Fave support bands of 2010

Not Cool supporting Screaming Females (The Luminaire)

Nisennenmondai supporting The Ex (The Dome)

Eat Skull supporting Ganglians (XOYO)

Double Dagger supporting Real Estate (Cargo)

Gum Takes Tooth supporting Part Chimp (The Luminaire)

Grass Widow supporting Naked On The Vague (The Lexington)

Factory Floor supporting Fuck Buttons (Koko)

Islet supporting Frankie & The Heartstrings (Lock Tavern)

Kong supporting Future of the Left (Club 229)

Snowmen/Factory Floor supporting My Disco (The Lexington)

Trash Kit supporting Vivian Girls (Clowns Church Hall)

Wolf People supporting The Besnard Lakes (Cargo)

Sonic Masala's Fave EPs of 2010!

So the duty of Sonic Masala's second 'best of' list falls to me, and its late. No change there. As the title points out I've got the daunting task of picking out our fave EPs for 2010 and there are a hell of a lot to pick from. Now as we all know EP stands for extended play - no shit Sherlock - and as such a format extended play seems to have stretched its criteria somewhat. There really seems so to be no set rules these days about what is an EP and what's not, from the number of songs to the size or even type of format, is all up for grabs. So our list below has taken some liberties, after all isn't a mini album or a limited 10" an extended play?

So with this in mind, and so much awesomeness to choose from, the list below was really rather tough to put together, I'm sure I'll have committed some heinous crimes and omitted some real gems, if so please comment and correct. So without further ado, and in no particular order, here's the EPs and other extended plays that have got SM all worked up into an extended frenzy this year...

Sonic Masala's Fave EPs of 2010...

LA Vampires and Zola Jesus - LA Vampires meets Zola Jesus

Double Dagger - Masks

Not Cool - Rugged Raw

Gum Takes Tooth - 5" floppy disk demo

Factory Floor - Untitled

Forest Swords - Dagger Paths

Pop. 1280 - The Grid

Zola Jesus - Stridulum

Running - Running

Islet - Celebrate This Place

When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth - Peaced

Zorch - Zut Alore!

The Austerity Program - Backsliders and Apostates Will Burn

Gum Takes Tooth in Red Mist

Weeks ago now, we were lucky enough to see Gum Takes Tooth support Part Chimp at the Luminaire. Below are some photos I tried to take in the subdued, moody lighting. I like their lo-fi, angry red fuzzy-ness, kind of fits with Gum Takes Tooth's doom heavy noise aesthetic. Either that or they're just shittily taken pics.

Gum Takes Tooth - Rise From The Peat and Walk

More photos after drop...

Parting With The Chimp?

Its been a hectic week for me - and will be a hectic month, and none of it in a good way - so even though the posts come thick and fast, a few slip through the keeper. One I really meant to do was to promote a gig thats on tonight at the Luminaire - twas meant to be a TODD headliner, but now the honours go to Rock Action stalwarts Part Chimp, ably supported by Sloath and the aforementioned very exciting up and comers Gum Takes Tooth. Its going to be a loud one for all you noise fantasists out there, but is somewhat special for a rather sad reason. Rumour has it that Part Chimp are parting ways come year's end. This is a massively sad state of affairs, and Ill try to find out more. But in the meantime, this is a song that a few of my friends really enjoy, and get yourself down there, 8 squid on the door.

Part Chimp - 30 Billion People

Gum takes all teeth

Strange thing, that Glastonbury festival. You can always guarantee that you'll miss something, the place is that big. Plus you can always guarantee that you'll miss something that you never thought you could see at Glasto. Gum Takes Tooth have to take the honors for being the one band I missed at this year's Somerset dust bowl that I would have definitely seen had I know they were playing, but to be honest, I don't think I would have believed you if you told me that a noise band of Gum Takes Tooth's ferocity was gracing Pilton Farm's usually softer sided festival. I should have known better.

The reason for my gutted state of mind is that quite simply Gum Takes Tooth has to be one of the most exciting bands I've heard all year. Any band that can lure the talents of Shit and Shine drummer Valentina Magaletti as a second live drummer has to make you sit up and take notice, plus when you read that this immediate, unnerving, trashing beast of noise uses no guitars, bass, keyboards, or laptops but instead physically wires drummer Thomas Fuglesang into home grown electronic instruments, mangled in real-time by Jussi Brightmore, it all starts to sound too insane for words. A noise beast from the dense and expansive depths of our sick lost Glastonbury past, soon to be our future I'm sure.

The duo/live trio have a 7" Young Mustard out on Adaadat, mine hasn't turned up yet but other tracks below should give you a fair idea...

Gum Takes Tooth - Tannkjøtt
Gum Takes Tooth - Strychnine Motive