Guided By Voices - Live in Daytron ?6°

Guided By Voices - Live In Daytron ?6° Part 1

Guided By Voices - Live In Daytron ?6° Part 2

This was just released this month as a three LP/triple-gatefold album (on coloured vinyl no less) on Bob Pollards Rockathon Records. This isn't a recording from their most recent reunion tour, however, but a show in Dayton from 2001. 43 classic GBV tracks (over 2 hours of music) recorded by a mobile unit, so it sounds crisp and clear. Great live album from a truly legendary band.

Rich Kids On LSD

RKL - It's A Beautiful Feeling 7"

RKL - Keep Laughing

RKL - The Best Of RKL on Mystic Records

RKL - Rock 'N Roll Nightmare

RKL - Revenge Is A Beautiful Feeling

RKL - Greatest Hits: Double Live In Berlin

RKL - Reactivate

RKL - Riches To Rags

Here is everything I have from one of the greatest punk/metal/hardcore bands of all time. For me and my group of friends in high-school these dudes were the be-all-end-all. Every song is fucking killer. RKL are the best out of all the nardcore bands (even if they were from Santa Barbara). The stuff on Mystic Records suffered from shitty production, but the songs all totally slay so who gives a fuck. The progression in musicianship that these guys made in the two years between the release of Keep Laughing (1985) and Rock 'N Roll Nightmare (1987) is unreal. I mean they were technical as fuck. The Double Live In Berlin album is one of the best punk live albums and it really showcased their skill as a band, plus they played all the old Mystic stuff (which sounded way better than their studio versions). The Revenge Is A Beautiful Feeling album is just a best of released in Germany that contains their Mystic Records recordings (the band was finally able to make some money off those recordings, as their German label actually paid them). Then in 1989 they broke up. A couple years later they resurrected the band without vocalist Jason Sears (drummer Bomber took over vocal duties) and they released Reactivate through Epitaph Records in 1993. It was a total Butt Rock album that really turned fans off (whatever I like it) and was promptly deleted from Epitaph's catalog. During the European tour for Reactivate Bomber quit the band to do drugs and they flew Jason in to finish out the remaining dates. The re-invigorated RKL returned to the United States and recorded their best album, Riches To Rags, which is the perfect hybrid of hardcore and thrash. Members from this band went on to play in Lagwagon, No Use For A Name, The Other, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes and Good Riddance.

False Confession - Left To Burn EP

False Confession - Left To Burn EP

Of all the nardcore bands I know the least about False Confession. As far as I can tell this is their only official release. What I do know is that these six songs are all fucking bangers, and probably sound the best out of all the Mystic albums I've heard. Guitarist Fred Matatquin totally wails all over this thing, dropping face-melting solos in almost every song. If you like RKL, Suicidal Tendencies and The Exploited then you'll blow your load over this band. Fucking rad shit right here.

Stäläg 13 - In Control

Stäläg 13 - In Control

Finally some more nardcore that wasn't released on Mystic Records. In Control differs from most nardcore in that it was recorded in a real studio and doesn't sound like ass. This is their only full length and it is a serious rager. Guitarist Dave Casillas went on to play in NOFX for a minute and here he seriously shreds. Stäläg 13 were influenced by Minor Threat and 7 Seconds (especially their clean vocal approach). This is not only one of the best nardcore albums, it is one of the best hardcore albums of all time. This here is the 2003 re-release of In Control that Dr. Strange Records put out and I'm pretty sure its still available, so do yourself a favour and pick it up because it seriously slays.

Dr. Know

Dr. Know - The Best Of...

Dr. Know is best remembered as the band that child-actor Brandon Cruz (The Courtship Of Eddies Father, the Jello-less Dead Kennedy's reunion) fronted for a minute. The thing about Mystic Records best of's is that they aren't really the best songs, but all the songs the band released while on Mystic. That being said here is everything Dr. Know recorded for Mystic. After their tenure on Mystic Dr. Know went full-on thrash and signed to Metal Blade Records (I can post some of those albums too if anyone is interested). Classic nardcore that is crude, rude, fast and furious.

Ill Repute - What Happened Then

Ill Repute - What Happened Then

This release combines their classic debut 7" (Oxnard Land Of No Toilets) and their first full length (What Happens Next?) onto one disc. Classic west coast hardcore. No other band of the era was more about "Nardcore" than these dudes, their civic pride was unparalleled. Fast and furious hardcore that influenced everyone after them. Ill Repute continued releasing new music well into the new millennium, and while some of their 90's output is pretty rad they will forever be remembered for their 80's heyday. Yet another Nardcore classic released by Mystic Records.

Agression - Don't Be Mistaken

Agression - Don't Be Mistaken

Agression are so punk they don't even give a fuck about correct spelling. These dudes are not only one of the first (and best) skate-punk bands, they are also considered to be the quintessential Nardcore band as well. Don't Be Mistaken was released by BYO Records in 1983 and it is a true punk rock classic. After this they went metal and released a shitty album on Mystic Records, but forget all that because Don't Be Mistaken fucking slays. The song "Intense Energy" is a skate-punk classic. Famed punk rock/skateboarding photographer Glen E. Friedman even took the photo of Arthur Lake on the front cover of this album. If you dig 7 Seconds and JFA then you'll like Agression.

Scared Straight

Scared Straight - Born To Be Wild EP

Scared Straight - You Drink, You Drive, You Die

Scared Straight were a Nardcore band (even though they were actually from Simi Valley) who changed their name to Ten Foot Pole and signed to Epitaph Records in the 90's. Lead singer Scott Radinsky (who also went on to front Pulley) was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1986 (right out of high-school) and pitched in the majors for almost 20 years. Both these records were released on Mystic Records, which meant the band never got paid any money for them and they sound pretty shitty. Despite all that Scared Straight were a pretty rad band who thankfully stuck it out and, as Ten Foot Pole, released Rev which is one of the 90's best skate-punk albums. Thrash.

V/A - Nardcore Compilation

V/A - Nardcore Compilation

Oxnard California, the land of no toilets (according to Ill Repute) produced a totally rad style of hardcore dubbed "Nardcore". The scene also birthed one of my favourite punk bands, Rich Kids On LSD (RKL). This comp is jam packed with tasty hardcore nuggets from RKL, Ill Repute, Scared Straight, Stäläg 13, Dr. Know, False Confession and Agression (among others). Yeah this is on Mystic Records so the production leaves a lot to be desired, but who fucking cares when the tunes rage so hard. Mystic Records' owner Doug Moody never paid the bands on his label a cent and is generally regarded as a prick, but the time I prank called him (collect no less) he was nothing but a gentleman. The one thing that unites all these bands is their lightning fast tempos and blistering lead guitar parts, I mean everyone of the bands featured here totally rages. Crank this up and circle pit around the room.

This is the first in a series of posts I'll be making dedicated to "Nardcore" and its related bands. So if you dig this, I'll be keeping the good times rolling.

No Trigger - Be Honest

No Trigger - Be Honest 7"

Two new songs from one of my favourite melodic hardcore bands. They'll have a new album out next year and if these two jams are any indication it is going to slay. I thought for sure that these guys were done, but thank Jah they're back. The second jam on here, "Tooth", sounds like Banner Pilot and that fucking rules. Get this now.

Guided By Voices - 1996-2004

Guided By Voices - Under The Bushes Under The Stars

Guided By Voices - Tonics And Twisted Chasers

Guided By Voices - Sunfish Holy Breakfast EP

Guided By Voices - Plantations Of Pale Pink EP

Guided By Voices - The Official Ironman Rally Song EP

Guided By Voices - Mag Earwhig!

Guided By Voices - Do The Collapse

Guided By Voices - Hold On Hope EP

Guided By Voices - Isolation Drills

Guided By Voices - Universal Truths And Cycles

Guided By Voices - Earthquake Glue

Guided By Voices - Half Smiles Of The Decomposed

So this is it, everything I have from the greatest band to ever emerge from Dayton, Ohio (and perhaps all of Ohio, sorry Trent Reznor). This is their "hi-fi" period (the exception being Tonics And Twisted Chasers which was a 4-track recording, like bee thousand, made by Robert Pollard and Tobin Sprout as a fanclub LP) in which the band utilized 24 track consoles, proper studios and budgets that went to recording, not just alcohol. Some truly amazing material was released during this period. From the Kim Deal/Steve Albini produced Under The Bushes Under The Stars, the Rick Ocasek produced Do The Collapse and the Rob Schnapf produced Isolation Drills (the final three full lengths were produced by the band and Todd Tobias). Every one of these albums slays. Nobody sings with a better fake British accent than Robert Pollard. During this period they also released four boxsets (Suitcases 1-3 and Hardcore UFO's) several live discs and tons of singles. They are all worth hearing because their are only three types of GBV songs: Really great, plain great, and just good.

Monument - Goes Canoeing

Monument - Goes Canoeing

Debut full-length from this Washington D.C. group. Great 90's emo influenced punk rock. Goes Canoeing was just released this month on the Tiny Engines record label and if you dig their label mates Everyone Everywhere, Look Mexico and Castevet then you'll dig Monument. Take the spastic energy of Brainworms and the pop hooks of The Get Up Kids and you've just nailed their sound. I've been waiting to hear a full length from these dudes since I heard their 3 song 7" (which has been in constant rotation around my spot for over a year). In fact here is that seven inch, and their equally as rad demo:

Monument - 3 song 7"

Monument - Monujamz demo

Buffalo Tom

Buffalo Tom - Self Titled

Buffalo Tom - Birdbrain

Buffalo Tom - Let Me Come Over

Buffalo Tom - Big Red Letter Day

Buffalo Tom - Sleepy Eyed

Great Boston rock band influenced by Hüsker Dü and The Replacements. The self titled debut and Birdbrain were both produced by J. Mascis and pretty much sound like Dinosaur Jr. minus the face-melting guitar solos (although J. does wail away on the track Impossible off the self titled). On Let Me Come Over the band enlisted the famed production duo of Paul Q. Kolderie and Sean Slade and it featured a much sleeker and polished sound. For Big Red Letter Day they worked with the Robb Brothers who scored a hit with The Lemonheads' album It's A Shame About Ray. It is also the most successful Buffalo Tom album and contains the hit single "Soda-Jerk" that was used in the TV series My So Called Life. The boys also appeared in a seperate episode of the show playing the song "Late At Night". Buffalo Tom took a much rawer approach on the album Sleepy Eyed, both in production and songwriting. Its the most punk sounding of their albums since the self titled. Frequent Dinosaur Jr collaborator John Agnello recorded the album and its a real rager. This band just got better and better with each successive release. They are back together now and will have a new album out early next year. If you are a fan of 90's alternative rock i.e. Dinosaur Jr., The Lemonheads and Superchunk then you're bound to find something to like here.

French Films - Golden Sea EP

French Films - Golden Sea EP

This is the debut EP by the Finnish pop band French Films. These five dudes write catchy and bouncy indie rock that reminds me of Phoenix, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, The Drums, Joy Division and The Cure. French Films are in the process of recording their debut full length, and I really can't wait to hear more from these guys. These sunny tunes will be swimming in your head all day long.

V/A - Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010

V/A - Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010

This album was released by Matador Records at the start of 2010 and it compiles the best and brightest new bands from Austin, TX (with a few ringers from Denton, TX). This was assembled by Matador co-founder Gerard Cosloy who moved to the city a couple years ago and fell in love with the local scene (he's since signed Harlem to Matador). Great songs from Woven Bones, Wild America, Harlem and The Young. "Casual Victim Pile" is an anagram for "live music capital", which is what Austin is. So if you thought Texas was all honky-tonk and Stevie Ray Vaughn worship give this a spin and see how fucking punk the city is.

Fugazi - In On The Kill Taker: Albini Demo

Fugazi - In On The Kill Taker: Albini Demo

Seven songs off Kill Taker recorded by Steve Albini in his Electrical Audio Recording studio. A lot rougher around the edges than the eventual final product (these songs were all re-recorded by Ted Niceley and Don Zientara at Inner Ear Studios for the finished product). The drums sound fucking huge. Both the band and Steve think the final product was superior to these recordings, I just think this is a cool little demo that any fan of Fugazi should hear at least once.

The Young - Voyagers Of Legend

The Young - Voyagers Of Legend

The Young are a four-piece rock band out of Austin, TX and this is their debut LP. Released on Mexican Summer Records (who are really knocking them out of the park) this fall, Voyagers Of Legend is dark and catchy rock and roll that sounds like GBV, Superchunk and Hot Snakes mixed together. I haven't read too much about these guys online, which is a shame because this album is fucking killer. Voyagers Of Legend is limited to 1000 copies (like most Mexican Summer LP's) so grab it now before it goes out of print.

Guided By Voices - 1986-92

Guided By Voices - Forever Since Breakfast

Guided By Voices - Devil Between My Toes

Guided By Voices - Sandbox

Guided By Voices - Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia

Guided By Voices - Same Place The Fly Got Smashed

Guided By Voices - Propeller

Forever Since Breakfast, the bands debut release, saw them playing American college rock in the vein of early R.E.M. After Devil Between My Toes was released Guided By Voices stopped playing live, due in part to their albums failing to catch on locally as well as the members responsibilities to their families and various day jobs (most famously Robert Pollard who was a fourth grade teacher). The next series of albums were all self financed/released by the band in limited numbers, recorded in the garage 8-track studio of a Dayton friend. During this time the core was Robert, his brother Jim (who never fully joined the band due to his working the second shift at the local GM plant) and Mitch Mitchell. Propeller was supposed to be the bands farewell, however, a friend of the band sent it out to publications and they gained national exposure in the pages of Alternative Press and most notably in Spin magazine. This resulted in several celebrated live performances in Philly and New York, where Mitch Mitchell jumped and windmilled like the bastard child of Pete Townsend, and Robert did microphone twirls and high kicks with beer and cigarette in hand. Every album has its high points (and very few lows), Propeller stands up the best today, but they all fucking slay. Thank Jah they never quit after Propeller.

GobbleHoof

GobbleHoof - S/T

GobbleHoof - FreezerBurn

Both these albums were produced by J. Mascis (who also played drums on the self titled) and released on the Minutemen's New Alliance Records. GobbleHoof featured J. Mascis' childhood friends Charles Nakajima (former Deep Wound frontman) on vocals, Kurt Fedora (a frequent guest on Dinosaur Jr albums) on bass and future Dinosaur Jr member George Berz on drums (for the FreezerBurn album). The sound on the self titled is a hybrid of punk and metal, you can hear some Rollins Band, some Black Flag and even some Butthole Surfers. On FreezerBurn they upped the metal and added some wah-wah drenched guitar and some seriously rad guitar riffs (a-la Soundgarden and Tad). Pretty rad proto-grunge.

Bullet LaVolta - Gimme Danger EP

Bullet LaVolta - Gimme Danger EP

This EP was released by Metal Blade Records in 1990 and it features a totally rad live cover of "Detroit Rock City". The two new originals on here "Every Hungry Rabbit" and "Transparent Man" rank up there with some of the best songs the band ever wrote. Punk metal at its finest.

Superwolf

Matt Sweeney & Bonnie Prince Billy - Superwolf

Matt Sweeney formerly of Chavez and Bonnie "Prince" Billy (Will Oldham) playing americana music. Formed after Will Oldham issued a songwriting challenge to Matt Sweeney (which he accepted), Superwolf is as brooding and delicate as any other Will Oldham musical project. Will's lyrics are still as eccentric (and at times hilarious) as ever and Matt Sweeney adds a jolt of electricity to many of the songs. So far this is the only full length these two have released and I hope it isn't the last. As of late Matt Sweeney has become Rick Rubin's go-to guitarist and Matt has appeared on several of Rick's most recent production jobs including The Dixie Chicks, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban and Kid Rock's latest Born Free. Will is no slouch either as he continues to release solo albums and act in television and movies (my favourite being the Horse Apples episode of Wonder Showzen).