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.

These Mayors Bring People Together...

Here's a funny story.

Back in December 2009, my sister arrived in London. I had been living there for almost eighteen months at that stage. In her first week there I took her to ATP (My Bloody Valentine Nightmare Before Christmas - where this very blog was conceived!) as well as a Shit & Shine show at Madame JoJos. Now, that Shit & Shine show was by far the worst show Ive seen of them, but it is memorable as Sara got shitfaced and proceeded to kiss a "stranger". A couple weeks later we saw some bands play at the Constitution in Camden. We were there for Cumrag, a one off show for Steven Smith (Scul Hazzards). Another was Mayors Of Miyazaki. In amidst the mayhem, Sara again got drunk and proceeded to kiss someone. The same someone from the Shit & Shine show. The same someone that, over two years later, is her husband.

Crazy, right?

Now, I hadn't thought much at all about Mayors Of Miyazaki for some time, then the London math spazz rockers sent me this, their first piece of new recorded material in what seems like forever. It's more of the same in some respects, but it is also somewhat tempered, holding off on some of their more frenetic tangents. Which actually is a good thing. I feel they maybe onto something here. And not just a dirty pash... 'Mortise and Tenon' is preceding their second album (four years in the making), so we might see the rising of these Mayors to the type of power they so rightly deserve.

Mayors Of Miyazaki - Mortise & Tenon

Upcoming Shows:
16th March - Cowley Club, Brighton w/ Ragweed
17th March - Cavern, Exeter w/ Warm Blooded Mammals
18th March - Purple Turtle, Camden

11th April - Unicorn, Camden
12th April - The Junction, Plymouth
13th April - Buffalo Bar, Cardiff

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