Adding Up The Statsmen Data

One of the most exciting bands going in Brisbane when I was "growing up" in my 20s was the stupid noise fury of Eat Laser Scumbag! Fast, furious, shouty, colour-coded - they were the ketamine Wiggles for the Ramones kids with ASD and middle ear infections. They tore everything apart, a cyclone of hypercolour decimation. The members of these bands went on to other endeavours (the slacker pop nous brilliance of Nova Scotia, the cartoon punk splurge of Undead Apes, the guttural pub punk of Eyes Ninety etceteraaaaaaaa).

But sometimes you gotta keep the dream alive.

Admittedly Champion Data, the throwaway album from 3/4 of ELS!, called here Statsmen, is decidedly different, more interested in Guided By Voices, Pedro The Lion and infinite other 90s guitar bands, taking the combustible energy of cassette-chewed lo-fi rock to all corners of the canvas (with some 8-bit Numan-highfiving-Devo magic on 'Candy', retrofuturist synth silliness on 'Indestructible Roger' and excellently warped motorik psycher 'Taken Over' thrown in to keep you on your toes). This may have been something to do to fill in time - but seriously, this is a great release that everyone should get into. I for one cannot get enough.

Bastard Boys Are Giggling Through Their Teeth

NY crooked losers loose in the Big Apple Giggly Boys have launched their debut album Bastards Of Young, and it is great - weird, beguiling, cracked. I was a big fan of their EP . (the cover my fiancee claims looks like me - she's on fire tonight, gloves are off), and the album veers into Spray Paint territory on opener 'The Hall', a track seemingly equally indebted to Ranaldo's Sonic Youth left-field takes on straighter rock. 'Crazy From The Heat' continues the cavernous production and Mike Zorman's moaned, quasi-barked and clipped vocals, yet there is a coldness here that evokes Scandi goth punk (the juxtaposition is in the name...) 'Butter Banquet' is more diseased, a (C)ramped sense of humour infiltrating these darker riffs and claustrophobic rolls, albeit with some slowed art-rock interludes and a glammed up lead back to the fever. 'Weird Lie' and 'Tiny Taste' again take a Ranaldo hue, but also evoke mid-career Blank Realm (possibly in the Daniel Spencer-esque vocal delivery). You can tell that I haven't made any Protomartyr references here, although you can hear echoes in 'Midnight Ones' or the similarly-named 'Darker Shade Of Pale'. Maybe because Bastards Of Young is so kaleidoscopic in sonic range that the references are spread far and wide. 'Country Lee' is something I wish Brisbane band-in-hiatus Nova Scotia had written. Now I doubt that Giggly Boys are into those guys - but the connections to Australian and American bands that flirt with mainstream composition before dragging them on wider, weirder slipstreams is clear. The throwback closer 'Whatever' is great too. Let's hope that these Bastards Of Young never get old - this is great stuff.

Grab the record through This Ain't Heaven Recordings here. If you are in New York tonight, head to The Gateway where Giggly Boys play alongside another new SM fave, Frog.

Total Babes In Their Heyday

I'm loving Heydays, the second LP from Ohio (and Cloud Nothings offshoot) Total Babes. It reeks of a slacker guitar pop vibe that Malkmus et al might have nodded nonchalantly to, if they infused their sound with a little more distortion and serration. It isn’t overtly serious though – come on, they are called Total Babes! – and it is this precipice between earnestness, aggression and flippancy that they teeter confidently on. The addition of Emeralds alum John Elliott on synth has infused tracks like 'Repeat Gold' and 'Can I Turn You On' with gravitas while opening up new, unexpected horizon. And Cloud Nothings’ frontman Dylan Baldi pops up on 'Circling', delivering a skronked-out sax throughline that helps to elevate an already nutso track (Elliott's space-invaders effects are most prevalent here also) to a delightful level of aggro intensity.

I actually was reminded of retired Brisbane band Nova Scotia when listening to segments of Heydays, especially tracks like 'We'll Come Around' and the title track. There is a irreverent racket imbued with an innate sense of melody and a sunny disposition that makes the album a blessing, just on the cusp of summer. Pre-order it here (out through Wichita Recordings later this month). Total Babes are supporting the brilliant Pile in London on the 10th and 11th of June (at the Lexington and Old Blue Last respectively) - cannot bloody wait.

Turn Down The Radio Hiss And Get Your Weird On

Philly acid-drained psychos Purling Hiss released a great little record last month in Weirdon (out through Drag City). I always wanted the trio to forgo the no-fi detritus that, whilst producing an excellent release in 2009's Purling Hiss, also stuck in my craw like sand. But we saw what could happen when the rust was brushed away on Mike Polizze's and co's last album Water On Mars - and now it seems like the right amount of noise and melody, murk and sunshine. Listen to 'Forcefield of Solitude' - it's sunny, squalling, lazy, diligent, funny and serious. It reminds me of a turbo-charged version of Brisbane band Nova Scotia - and seeing as they are one of my favourite bands of the last five years, that's saying something.

Grab Weirdon here.

Eat Chakra Fandangos!

One of the earliest memories I have of immersing myself in the Brisbane music scene was heading along to The Orient Hotel to watch bands. It was 2004-2005. Before then I went to gigs every month, but very rarely to anything that wasn't being played on the radio. When I say the radio, I mean Triple J, and as any old curmudgeon will tell you, "it was much better back then". So gigs were Magic Dirt, Custard, Rocket Science, Not From There, Pollyanna, Youth Group, Bluebottle Kiss, Even, Gota Cola...and so on. Anyway between Rics, the Orient and the beginnings of 610 a little while later, I moved into a different realm.

The first clear memory I have of the Orient included bands like Turnpike, HO2, Shuriken - and Eat Laser Scumbag! They had me at the name straight off the bat; they had me with the colour coordination (think The Wiggles for dropkicks); they had me with their raw, raucous rock that dealt in speed as much as melody. Over the decade I have gotten to know Ash, Nathan, Adam and Xavier fairly well - the guys have spread to be in bands as diverse as Undead Apes, Nova Scotia, Chinese Burns, Eyes Ninety and more, as well as having kids and spreading across the Australasian lands - but the helter skelter, fever-pitched radness of the band has always remained. They always play when the four of them are in the country together, so they haven't really officially gone anywhere - and here is a 10" to remind us what their brand of spontaneous combustion was all about. Chakras Aligned is a bit more considered then their EP Eat Laser Scumbag 1 Earth 0, but it still packs a punch. 'Vampires' and 'Fandango' in particular show a different side to the band that intimate what might have been and could still be. I believe the 10" is sold out, but you can grab it digitally below. Let's petition to get them back in orbit and smashing pubs, thus reminding us all that you aren't ever too old to get loose.

Psy Ants Bite Their Tongues and Disappear

 

Psy Ants were part of the first ever Sonic Masala Presents… shows back in October 2011. I had originally asked Per Purpose to play, but Joe (drums) was in America with Kitchens Floor. Glen the guitarist instead offered his “other” band, which was of course the noise rock trio, and they tore the place apart with a visceral performance that polarised the audience (the other two artists were the broken folk of Charles Curse and the wonky indie sweep of Nova Scotia – hence the beginning of the eclectic lineups that were inevitably to follow). I managed to catch them play one more show after that, but that’s it – the band have called it a day, preferring to focus on other bands.

At least we managed to get something physical out of them in the form of Bit Tongue Prik (out through Vacant Valley). It’s all saw-toothed, angular anger and bile, melodrama for the schizophrenics, shapes shifting in rust-gilded twitches and spasms. It’s ugly stuff indeed, David Yow masturbating over decapitated images of the Rapemen. Its broken, no reason to fix it, just listen, eat glass and move on.

Grab Bit Tongue Prik here.

Psy Ants – Spike
Psy Ants – Deny Flesher

Hangar Lands - Lofly Is Back!

 

Whilst it may seem that local label/promoters Lofly (Nova Scotia, Tape/Off, Do The Robot) have been dormant of late, it’s all a ruse – they have been regrouping, growing, strength in numbers and all that. Since the loss of converted tyre factory The Hangar last year, Lofly has struggled to find a foothold in the local scene to reignite those passionate nights of music, flowing booze and massive fun times that many people harbour close to their hearts. A minor stint at the Beetle Bar didn’t work out. But now we (note that pronoun? Yes, this is a little self-aggrandising, for I am now part of the Lofly collective) have transplanted The Hangar to the Waiting Room, where the first Lofly show in ages (discounting the great double bill that was part of this year’s Brisbane Festival) will be taking place this Saturday. We aim to be bringing back the excitement that fuelled those Hangar shows of yore, with a program that strives to bring together a new local act, an established local act and an interstate act once a month for your pleasure.

This Saturday sees meteoric “institution” Tiny Spiders (well they certainly play hard and fast enough, and are the raddest people to boot), Adelaide storm-starters Sparkspitter (I have heard nothing but great things about these guys, and it’s a “hometown” show as such as it’s their first Australian show on the back of an Asian tour) and new kids with Scandinavian leanings (but are decidedly from the Sunshine State), Denmark.

$10, kicking off at 8. To get all walks of life excited, this will be an all ages event, so the boozy element may have to be done at the Melbourne (or any of the far better options West End has to offer).

Sleepwaling Robots In The Nite Fields Motel

In October we had our very first sponsored/curate/whatever show, imaginatively called Sonic Masala Presents. It was a graveyard smash. Greg Charles was gloriously shambolic; Psy Ants were awesomely explosive; Nova Scotia were inimitably fun.

Tonight it all happens again for the second instalment. Headlining are the upper crust grungeheads Sleepwalks, whose debut LP The Milk Has Gone Sour (produced by Steve Albini no less!) came out at the crowning of the year. A smash and grab affair, it is a fun piece of work (despite the fact I gave it only three stars for Time Off at the beginning of the year, a fact I may never live down). This is likely to be a fantastically sloppy earblast, and the lineup is rounded out by much-loved husband/wife dream-pop manipulators Do The Robot, garrulous shoegaze explorers Nite Fields, and new kids on the block, rusty blues duo El Motel. All for a tenner (and BYO means it stays a cheap night!) It looks like it could rain again, but don't let that deter you for an awesome night of eclecticism and alcoholism! Should be madness, and it kicks off at 8pm - see you there!

First SONIC MASALA PRESENTS... A Resounding Success!

Well, all's been quiet on the Sonic Masala front, and some of you must be wondering if it had anything to do with our first live music showcase that was due to be held last Saturday. Well, it went ahead, and despite a couple of minor setbacks (a few pre-show amp explosions, Charles Curse's Codeine Choir not making an appearance), it slayed!


Charles Curse (AKA Greg Charles) really stood up in the solo guise, and infused the largely old material (he's had most of these songs in the bag for years now) with a scratchy sense of urgency found wanting in most of his counterparts.


Psy Ants were a force to be reckoned with, a visceral punch to the eardrums, and the news that they are using their hard-earned dosh to put a recording out soon is fantastic news. Seriously, Psy Ants stood out tonight and were all the better for it! Get these guys more gigs pronto!


And Nova Scotia - what superlatives haven't already been used for these lovely lads? They may be down to a quartet (and soon to be taking a break - massive sigh), but they command every ounce of your attention. It was an assured yet inherently fun set from Brisbane's best band of the moment.

Nova Scotia - Round The Twist

Thanks to those who came out and shared in the fun and frivolity, especially Joanne Thies for the poster work, Ash Timms for helping out with the production, Vanessa Johnson who kindly gave her time to take photos, Belly and Dan over at 4ZZZ's Wake & Bake, Time Off magazine, Cam and Innez at The Waiting Room and Dave who did an amazing job at the coalface. If you didn't make the show (or even if you did), check out more of Vanessa's ace photos below.












SEE YOU DECEMBER 2ND...

Sonic Masala Presents Its First Sonic Masala Presents!!!

HERE IS THE NEWS YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!!

Your favourite blog Sonic Masala has finally come out from behind the laptop and into the live venue arena!

On Saturday October 2011, Sonic Masala will be hosting its first ever live showcase. The venue is ultra intimate - The Waiting Room on Browning Street, West End. The sow is small, about 100 people absolute max, and at $10 a pop it will be amazeballs. Oh, and its BYO, with the bottle shop for the Melbourne Hotel RIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD! So no excuses!

Oh and there are some bands playing, just in case we forget...

NOVA SCOTIA are those crazy kids who started off fiddling their inner Malkmus before advancing into a true behemoth of giddy angular grunge pop (my words - quote em if you want...). Their self-titled debut LP is soooo good, freakishly good, and as it should, was nominated for Best Album at this year's Queensland Music Awards. They haven't ever put on a bad show, and as headliners of the first Sonic Masala Presents... promise something extra special for your aural pleasure. (The below clip is a good indication of the band - it was filmed at the same venue too!)



PSY ANTS are a band that only know one thing - how to use a sonic pestle and mortar to crush you into their sordid ways of being. This three piece are purveyors of insidious noise, penetrating your airspace in a rough yet ultimately energising way so that you are happy when they pull their pants back on and throw a balled up tenner at your face - trust me, you'll be begging for more...



CHARLES CURSE & THE CODEINE CHOIR is yet another chapter in the coalescing disparity that is local shadow Greg Charles' musical career. Making amazing noise with Blonde Cobra and expanding the boundaries of convention with his Ex-Catholics, it has been as Charles Curse that his skewed ruminations have found more of a home, with ambient, rambling concoctions echoing as far as Brooklyn. No one knows the mysteries that lie therein, but rest assured it will be an exclusive!





So make sure you tell EVERYONE about this momentous inaugural event - click here for more deets. It's going to be one hell of a time...

The Only Way To Heal Is To Rip The Tape/Off

Back In February, I had been in Brisbane for about a month when I went to local band (and good mates) Nova Scotia's album launch at the Lofly Hangar. It was a great night, filled with fun, frivolity and highlights (including a stellar show by are they/aren't they defunct Arbuckle) - but one act I found underwhelming. They may have been energetic, but Tape/Off just didn't do it for me. I haven't endeavoured to see them since...

But I think that may be a massive mistake, if their new EP is anything to go by. Recorded by the band's drummer Branko Cosic, ...And Sometimes Gladness opens with a killer track - 'Backseat' is late 90s loud languid indie by proxy, all 5 and a bit minutes of it surround-sound glory. It goes on from there - 'Something That We Know' muddied up the Pavement short thrashy number routine, the brilliantly named 'Hell Comes To Frogtown' (so named after a filmic Z-grade schlocker) is anarchic with some lovely Sand On Seven era Not From There affinities (and great bass throughout), 'Botanical Gardens' muddy shoegaze in a corrugated iron shed, and closes with 'Happen Now', a beauty that also includes Kellie Lloyd (Screamfeeder) in cameo mode. Seriously guys, way to kick a preconception in the guts. This EP fucking slays.

Branko and co - will you ever forgive me???

Times New Viking Grammatically Plunder The Brisbane Woodlands

Brisbane, the excitement is at fever pitch! The upcoming few months closing out 2011 will see you awash with amazing overseas acts. You will see the plethora of local ace acts slowly littering these pages in due course (we've already heard from the likes of Nova Scotia, Tiny Migrants, Blank Realm and No Anchor), and yet its a trashy trio from Ohio that will kickstart this in earnest! Tomorrow at Woodland Times New Viking hit the stage, alongside local acts Cobwebbs and Meat Thump (the name has me salivating already!). Their latest album Dancer Equired cleans up the scuzz but does nothing to dampen the rampant energy these garage noise pop fusionists dish out.

Times New Viking were one of the first stellar acts that blew me away when I arrived in England back in the heady days of 2008 - they supported Los Campesinos! alongside No Age. What was Los Campesinos! thinking? These bands wipe the floor with their twee shit! AND it was the second gig after Offset Festival where I caught up with Paul, and a year later Sonic Masala was born - collective awwww...

Seriously though, this show is gonna be amazeballs. Tix are still available at $25/bf, and is not to be missed!

Times New Viking - Downtown Eastern Bloc
Times New Viking - Fuck Her Tears

Vale The Middle East

Incredibly sad news a few weeks ago when Townsville, Queensland collective The Middle East called it a day in the middle of what would be their last performance together on the stage at Splendour In The Grass. I happened to be at that show, and the performance had more vigour in it than their usual efforts, like it was a funereal dirge, or a purging. The band never intended to be this big - they had broken up before in 2008, reforming for a couple of performances only for their EP The Recordings Of The Middle East - in particular the track 'Blood' - to explode, pushing them on major bills both here and abroad. They had the world at their feet after releasing their debut LP I Want That You Are Always Happy only a handful of months ago (that title could have been quite deliberate to the circumstances...). Maybe we will see some of these guys in a different guise in the near future. On a posthumous note, the album won best album at last week's 2011 Queensland Music Awards (pipping SM fave Nova Scotia, I might add), and 'Blood' is in the new Steve Carrell film Crazy Stupid Love, so kudos to them. Still...sad to see you go.

Grab I Want That You Are Always Happy here.

The Middle East - Jesus Came To My Birthday Party
The Middle East - As I Go To See Janey

Gig - Besnard Lakes/Nova Scotia, The Zoo, Brisbane 11.03.11

The Besnard Lakes hold in interesting place in my heart.

The only time before tonight that I have seen them live was March 31st, 2010, at Cargo in London. It was the night before I was due to fly back to Australia for a month's holiday to see family and friends. The gig was all right - I was a fan of their latest release, The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night, but after a tight set by openers Wolf People I kinda got drunk with my girlfriend, my sister and a couple of mates and spent the majority of the show out the back drinking and smoking. They sounded good though... But the reason it sticks with me is because I had an amazing month in Australia, but I regret coming back for that month due to the fact that it indirectly led to my having to leave the UK for a second time, under much harsher and more difficult circumstances. Sad, but true.

Still, Im pretty excited to see them tonight, and this time I have a fan in the form of my friend Luke's girlfriend, Sally. She's been looking forward to this show for weeks, and her excitement cant help but be a little infectious. We have a few pre-show drinks (yes, audience members can have em too), and we miss Mosman Alder. But we do catch Nova Scotia, who have just released their debut LP Nova Scotia at a great album launch a few weeks ago (see my short review of it here). Tonight they arent as tight as that show - in fact, it is a little shambolic in parts. Scotty snaps a string, Ash seems to struggle with his foldback and the emotion is a little higher than usual due to guitarist Nathan's impending sojourn for the best part of a year to Thailand, so it is a send off of sorts. They still manage to shoot out some surefire gems though, and are a little more like early Gaslight Radio tonight which can only be a good thing. Their instrumental wigouts are the highlight tonight, and the noise left in their wake shows that the crowd has been sufficiently sated.

Nova Scotia - Maritime Disasters

The Besnard Lakes amble on and rumble through what can only be described as an awe-inspiring set. Ticking off all the hits from both ...Are The Roaring Night and previous gem The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse, the band manages to hit both the soaring, aching highs and the rumbling, apocalyptic lows that their psych tinged atmospheric rock promises. The husband and wife pairing of Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas is integral to the band's sounds - Lasek's voice is soothing and jaw-droppingly beautiful, his gutarwork sublime, whilst Goreas' voice takes the breath away in parts, and her wielding of the bass is one of the best displays of the instrument in a live setting Ive seen this year, hands down. The encore was a bit of a letdown for me, as the songs werent as arresting and (admittedly I didnt realise this) from their earlier offerings, but i will take tracks like 'Albatross', 'And This Is What We Call Progress' and especially 'For Agent 13' and 'The Innocent' away with me - a truly beguiling show.

The Besnard Lakes - And This Is What We Call Progress

The Besnard Lakes - For Agent 13

Gig - Nova Scotia (album launch) - The Hangar, Brisbane 26.02.11

A little over a month ago Brisbane indie pop wunderkinds Nova Scotia launched their long-gestating debut longplayer, effectively titled Nova Scotia. It is an amazing little album, a true testament to how much these guys have grown over the five or so years they have been floating around, and justifying the praise that is occasionally thrown their way, hopefully opening the door for far wider reception and recognition. Buy it here...

They had a little launch at the Lofly Hangar, which was a fantastic night - we saw the Hangar open up its doors once more for a fantastically fun night; perennial Queensland slackers Arbuckle reformed for a "one-off" show that was so effortlessly awesome that there is talk of more shows later in the year; and seeing Nova Scotia finally bring their efforts to a genuinely grateful public in a wax format, baptising it all with a memorable, fun and sweaty show that shone despite the attractive pull of seeing Third Eye Blind at the same time down at the Riverstage...

Their endless comparisons to the likes of Pavement are slowly being put to bed, as the boys have embraced their love of 90s rock, their adept manhandling of tight pop structure and throwaway whimsy now yinning with the yang of sprawling instrumental epics that hold all in thrall. There is much love - held by the opening track that exudes the bromance towards their own bassplayer - yet this doesnt get in the way of a great set of beautifully constructed, eclectic rock tunes that will only get better as they are aired out to dry. All in all, if you missed this one, you missed something a wee bit special.

Nova Scotia - The World Is Not Enough

Photos by Vanessa Cook

Sounding Out Brisbane

Seeing as Sonic Masala is ensconced in the sunny state of Australia (at least for the time being), and also seeing as Brisbane is technically my hometown, it makes sense that I would push the local music scene to breaking point and beyond. We have always had an interesting scene here, even though it has ebbed and flowed in terms of quality, yet never has it been anything less than engaging.

Sounds Like Brisbane is a project aimed at promoting and supporting the independent record labels that are the backbone of the music scene here. The aim of this project is to not only promote the incredible work done by Brisbane's indie labels, but promote their artists to the world. Brisbane has always had a strong DIY approach to music and without the efforts of indie labels and their bands, the music scene here (like just about everywhere else) just wouldn't be the same. These labels make sure great music gets heard.

So Sounds Like Brisbane has put out a 17 track sampler from most of the labels under this creative hub umbrella, showcasing much of what we have to offer here, covering all genres. I strongly suggest you check out the website - there are some amazing bands connected to these labels, and some that havent made this sampler (Nova Scotia, Turnpike, Tiny Migrants and Pastel Blaze are great bands that havent made the cut that really should be heard - and there are many many more!) Here are the list of labels - go for a search and find your new favourite Brisbane band!

DZ Deathrays - Blue Blood
I Heart Hiroshima - Washed Up
Mr Maps - Tennis Party
Lawrence English - Galaxies Of Dust
Undead Apes - Taxes
Jackie Marshall - Excuse Me Mister

Friday Cover Up - Jim Jones Gets Back

As you can see, its been a busy week of gigs here in lil Brissy, Down Under - and it continues tonight with the Besnard Lakes and Nova Scotia. And with this much excellence, its easy to burn out. So you need some invigorating, gyrating stuff to listen to, like Red Bull and vodka for the ears. Thank you Jim Jones then, for blowing out the cobwebs for this rollicking cover of the Beatles. Im primed for the weekend - you should be too!

Jim Jones Revue - Get Back (Beatles cover)

Lake Of Myriad Canuck Colourings

(photo by Chris Gergley)

Fourth consecutive gig of the week at The Zoo - those guys must be loving the stench of the Masala right about now! - and we have Canadians The Besnard Lakes gracing the stage, supported by Mosman Alder and brilliant local lads Nova Scotia, whose name inadvertantly ties in with the night. This is going to be a lightning show of dense layered textures that provides a near perfect darkness. A darker Arcade Fire with a predilection for dirge, if you will. And trust me - I will...

The Besnard Lakes - ...And This Is What We Call Progress
Nova Scotia - The World Is Not Enough

Nova Scotia's World Is More Than Enough

Brisbane five piece Nova Scotia have been doing the local thing now for near on five years, having collated two great, limited release EPs (Bear Smashes Photocopier and Maritime Disasters) and some stellar support slots, the most recent being Built To Spill. Their brand of off-kilter melodic guitar pop evokes such slacker icons as Pavement (hence the support slots for both Stephen Malkmus and Spiral Stairs) and Guided By Voices. So its exciting news to hear that they are about to unearth their debut LP (about time...) Nova Scotia in February through Lofly Records. And to mark the occasion they have given us their closing track, 'The World Is Not Enough', as well as the news that they will launch the album with a secret show on February 26th! If you want to get to this - which, lets face it, you all do - head over to Lofly for the deets. I dont know about you, but Im hoping this proves to be the first great guitar indie pop album of 2011. Only a month to find out...

Nova Scotia - The World Is Not Enough
Nova Scotia - Maritime Disasters

Gettin' Wet...

I was dubious when the single 'Born Stoked' came across my desk. Wet Illustrated - if a Chet, Chad and Ralph from frat house Alpha Omega Wanker formed a band to sing about their beer bong chugging and how big their theoretical dicks were, this would be the name that would be picked. So its with a hell of a surprise that not only am I posting about this band, Im championing their efforts.

They are nothing like the aforementioned faux slacker circle jerk band I had created in my mind. These San Franciscans - helped out by Tim from Fresh and Onlys - have crafted a perfect summer slice of guitar pop that has drunken singalong prowess and pogoing to burn. A mix between Japandroids of '09 (see previous post to get my meaning) and my mates' Brissy band Nova Scotia - as random a comparison as any, and Ill post about Nova Scotia soon to give you an idea of what I mean - 'Born Stoked' - the debut 7" single, put out by Corvette City Records - should generate a hell of a lot of excitement for these guys. I cant get it out of my head, especially due to the shitty weather of the past few days...

Wet Illustrated - Born Stoked