CMM : News And Notes For 4/27/17

MARIANA RIVALS "TAKE/CHROMA" CASSETTE OUT NOW

CMM are incredibly excited to release the new Mariana Rivals E.P. as a limited edition cassette. The California/Connecticut based synth pop unit deliver a pair of new tracks that are absolutely delightful. A wash of shimmering synths ring throughout the heavy groove based feel of “Take”. It’s pumping bassline and laid back rhythm are simply second to none while the mysterious yet soulful vocals put everything over the top and get you singing along in no time. “Chroma” is a bit darker and more subliminal. It’s got a heavy feel to it that builds throughout and keeps you guessing at what will come next as it’s cunning dynamics and atmospheric presence is as beautiful as it is enlightening. There’s also an underlying orchestral element to it all that I enjoy very much. A captivating pair of songs that could easily serve as the soundtrack to a universe trillions of light years away. The cassette is available now at www.custommademusicva.com or mariarivals.bandcamp.com

WEINF "PURPLE BIRD AND OTHER STRANGE SONGS” CASSETTE OUT NOW

Another new favorite of mine is Barcelona Spain based outfit Weinf and I couldn't be happier to release their new full length "Purple Bird And Other Strange Songs" as a limited cassette. The album comes off like the soundtrack to a secret David Lynch film. Drawing influence from the likes of Morphine, and The Velvet Underground it's the perfect eclectic mix of jazz and psychedelia. Weinf founder Dani Ruiz distinct voice and guitar work are nothing short of stellar and sure to draw you in for a truly exciting listening experience. Pick up a copy at www.custommademusicva.com or weinf.bandcamp.com

STIV: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A DEAD BOY COMING IN 2018

STIV: The Life and Times Of A Dead Boy is an upcoming feature-length documentary on legendary punk icon, Stiv Bators. It will be the first film ever made about the rowdy and controversial performer, and his life will be documented through archive footage, photography, music and all-new interviews with the people who knew him. Stiv Bators was one of the early American punk pioneers, and is primarily known for his work with The Dead Boys and The Lords Of the New Church. Classic songs like "Sonic Reducer" and "Ain't It Fun" continue to inspire fans and musicians from all walks of life. Acclaimed director Danny Garcia will helm the project, and already has numerous punk documentaries under his belt, such as The Rise and Fall Of The Clash, Looking For Johnny, and Sad Vacation: The Last Days Of Sid and Nancy. Following in the same gritty underground style that has become Garcia's hallmark, STIV: The documentary has a tentative release date of May 2018.

STIV - TRAILER from Chip Baker Films on Vimeo.

AURA BLAZE HARD AT WORK ON NEW ALBUM

New Jersey psychedelic rock outfit Auza Blaze are in full studio mode, working on a new album and I must say I can't wait to hear it. Their 2015 self titled debut was absolutely genius as it's rich, mind bending atmospherics matched with incredible songwriting made it one of my favorite albums of the year. Aura Blaze guru Rhode Rachel has been posting in depth updates on the record and options and philosophies on recording which I find incredibly interesting and inspiring. Check out his latest update here.

STARLIGHT (featuring IGGY POP) - A FEATURE FILM BY SOPHIE BLONDY COMING MAY 8TH FROM CLEOPATRA ENTERTAINMENT

Cleopatra Entertainment LLC, the movie division of famed indie record label Cleopatra Records, has acquired all domestic rights to Starlight, a feature film by French film maker Sophie Blondy, coming to Blu-ray and VOD on May 9th. Set in the dunes near the North Sea, a small circus company is suffering from a serious lack of audience for their shows. Spectators are rare but the magic of the circus still thrives. Each performer rehearses and performs new numbers, but this fragile balance will quickly shatter to unveil their real nature and their most obscure feelings. The circus will then become a place of romantic lust where each will use their powers to satisfy their desires. Angele, the diaphanous ballerina, her clown lover Elliot and the circus ringmaster, full of cruelty and disturbed by fits of schizophrenia on one side. Zohra in love with Elliot, haunted by an uncanny conscience on the other side. Secrets, jealousy, envy will progressively take hold of them and trigger some irreversible acts. The life of the circus will then take a whole new turn. Iggy Pop appears throughout the film as an "angel" type character. Starlight was selected and screened at Tallinn - Black Nights Film Festival (Estonia, 2013), Montreal World Film Festival (Canada, 2013), Moscow - International Film Festival (Russia, 2013), Rendez-vous with New French Cinema in Rome (2013), and at Rotterdam International Film Festival (Netherlands, 2013).

"Five For Friday" with Mike Pougounas of New Zero God

New Zero God is a Post Punk/Goth band founded in 2006 by former members of The Flowers Of Romance. Their latest album “Short Tales & Tall Shadows” takes you into a world of light and darkness where Gothic elements merge into a psychedelic mood and draws the listener into a sound of theatricality. Vocalist/Keyboardist Mike Pougounas shares some of his favorite songs in this weeks edition of "Five For Friday" but first enjoy the video for their latest single "Garden Of Mazes".

The Ruts - In A Rut

This was my first 7” single. I had the pleasure of meeting their drummer, David Ruffy, a few years ago. “In A Rut / H Eyes”. A single I still own. The Ruts remain an all time favorite and I was happy that Henry Rollins joined them that night on July 16 2007. Everyone should watch the video of that night

The Psychedelic Furs - India

By the late 70’s a friend of mine went to London for studies. He worked for some clubs and when he came back next year he brought a great number of cassettes that he recorded by jacking a tape recorder to the soundboard. XTC, Blondie, Police, Nazareth and many more. But, the ones I loved most were The Psychedelic Furs. They didn’t have an album yet so I called the top radio dj of the country on the phone during his show to ask for a song of theirs. “The Psyche…what?” I was having great laughs with “Mr Know Everything”… After a couple of years Psychedelic Furs became big… I was in my post-punk phase.

Lords Of The New Church - Russian Roulette

When Lords of the New Church released their first album I was flabbergasted. The band had everything: Stiv Bators (The Dead Boys), Brian James (The Damned), Dave Tregunna (Sham 69) and Nick Turner (The Barracudas). The sound wasn’t punk anymore. Within a year or two, the sound of my band, The Flowers of Romance turned into gothic rock.

DIE KRUPPS - Fatherland

In the mid 90’s I bought this Die Krupps album. They sent some of their tracks to other musicians in order to remix them. They came up with a double album. “Fatherland” which was remixed by the Sisters of Mercy. Nine Inch Nails were around the corner too. There was something happening in music. I came up with an industrial track called “Channel Z” for the new Flowers of Romance album and had long discussions with my producer, Wayne Hussey, formerly guitarist of The Sisters of Mercy and then leader of The Mission UK. “Channel Z” went to #5 and two years later I decided to make an industrial goth band called Nexus. I formed my own record label and released four albums of mine and eight more by other artists.

Southern Death Cult - Moya

By the mid 00’s my growing interest about the English post punk scene of the late 70’s took over again. There were thousands of tracks that I didn’t have the chance to find before but now, thanks to the internet, I could!!! I started listening to “old” stuff again. I was discovering bands that released a couple of singles and that was all for them… I rediscovered punk rock. DIY all the way baby! I closed my record label, put Nexus on hold and formed New Zero God with the intention to play post punk? Goth? Who cares? Southern Death Cult was one of my biggest influences when I was a kid. So I decided to return to that sound…