Check out Episode 7 of Custom Made Music Radio as we discuss the new Stooges, Drivin' N' Cryin' and Morphine documentaries plus play tracks from Ballad of Geraldine, Potential Red, Booji Boys, The Red Shift, Circus Devils, Holy Water, WANWEIRD, The Free Radical, The Retinas, Sebadoh, Surfer Blood and ELORA.
Ballad Of Geraldine "What's The Deal" single/video (balladofgeraldine.bandcamp.com)
I've written about the greatness of this band recently as their self titled E.P. (which this track is from) was one of my favorites of 2015. However the band just released this awesome video clip for "What's The Deal" so I thought why not share it and spread the word again on this rugged indie rock unit based in Halle, Germany. Their dusky vocals, garage rock guitars and galloping drums are nothing short of stellar and it's certainly the kind of track made for kicking off a red hot summer. Looking forward to hearing new music from this crew soon.
Bearstronaut "Black Bells" Single (Bearstronaut.com)
A luscious track that takes us back to classic 80's electro pop bands like Erasure, Alphaville and Duran Duran. Throw this into an 80's Night DJ set and the crowd will assure you they used to "tape this song off the radio". It's catchy, hard hitting beat and liquid like synths flow passionately over a sparse layer of chorus fueled guitar textures. Hands down the closest thing I've heard to a dance floor anthem in years. A remarkable effort indeed.
Beck "Wow" Single (beck.com)
Some may call this a return to "Old School" Beck but honestly Beck is always just being Beck regardless of what particular "style" he might be evoking at the time. Still after watching "Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician" this week I am fondly reminded of Beck's "Bong Load" years when he was making music in a small isolated shack that served as his mad scientist lab. The banging beat that runs franticly through "Wow" is sure to make you want to jump around immediately . Not sure if he's using the infamous white keyboard here but it's certainly full of lively instrumentation that's colorful and bright and of course Beck's laid back lyrical flow is in full effect alongside a rousing chorus full of dreamy backing vocals. A fine addition to the Beck catalog that is sure to put a smile on your face.
Melvins "Bases Loaded" LP (melvinsofficial.bandcamp.com)
So it's finally summer and baseball season is in full swing. I find myself on the edge of my seat almost daily as I watch my Kansas City Royals defend their crown. So how happy was I to discover earlier this week that mlb.com was going out on a limb and hosting this latest Melvins effort for all the world to hear. The album features six different bass players including contributions from Steve McDonald from the legendary Los Angeles glam punk band Redd Kross and their old friend Krist Novoselic from Nirvana plus return appearances by former bassists Jeff Pinkus (Butthole Surfers), Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle/Fantomas), Jared Warren (Big Business) and Dale Crover. According to King Buzzo, “More is more! As hard as it might be to believe, all of these bass players contribute something of their own to Basses Loaded which gives the whole album a good kick right in it’s big fat ass.” Yes many of these songs have been released before on the highly limited "Beer Hippy" and "War Pussy" E.P.'s but pairing them up with the three new tracks and making them readily available to the masses was a great thing to do. Plus who can resist a cover of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". A thunderous blast of rock n roll sure to melt your speakers and crush your skull.
The Orange Kyte "Inside Out n' Upside Down" Single (theorangekyte.bandcamp.com)
"Inside Out n' Upside Down", the latest installment of The Orange Kyte singles series is a brilliant upbeat psych tinged number that's full of 60's swagger and sway. It's bright and fun and full of life and sits well alongside the bands previous singles. I must say the pounding drumming and garage rock organ tones add a delicious layer of icing to the cake. Another stroke of excellence from this Vancouver based rock n roll project.
VoirVoir "I Wanna" single (fleetingyouthrecords.bandcamp.com)
Damn this is good. This Bethlehem Pennsylvania unit create a whirlwind of sound that is second to none. "I Wanna" is the first single from the bands album "There Are No Good Goodbyes" which is set for a cassette release in mid July on Fleeting Youth Records. Simply put this band pulls out all the stops when it comes to their brand of indie rock madness. Sure you can reference bands like The Pixies, Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev but VoirVoir definitely have their own personality and style. Highly recommended .
Ballad Of Geraldine play an intense combination of garage rock, grunge, psychedelia and pop. Made up of Mandy Einicke (guitar, voice), Tina Frisch (guitar, voice) ,Susanne Horka (bass) and Hannes Wilhelm (drums) their self titled debut E.P. is one of our favorites so far in 2015. The band share some of their favorite songs with us in this weeks edition of "Five For Friday" but first enjoy their song "What's The Deal".
PINS - Love U 4 Life
Our music is inspired by this band and this song is one of our favorites. We really like the sound, which is full of contrasts with its calm parts and the minimalist and melodic guitar in the verse and the powerful chorus. Especially the using of toms during the whole song gives the song a very special dynamic which often tempted us on long a rehearsal to some drunk, high-spirited drumsessions.
David Bowie - Lady Grinning Soul
Just listen. You’ll know why.
Deap Vally - Walk of shame
Those two women create an unbelievable energy with only their drums and the guitar with its fully opened big muff. All of this is completed with the rough and powerful voice of the guitar player. This song is one of our favorites because it’s to the point and right in your face. It’s bolshy, dirty and a true rock’n roll song. When we were on a concert of them last year in Berlin, we suddenly turned 14 again, felt like on our first concert of our favorite band. We were just standing there and starring on these two rocking women and weren’t even able to dance. We were just like “Oh god, they are sooooo cool!!!!!”
Queen - Another One Bites The Dust
We LOVE to dance to this song. You can let out all of your emotions on the dancefloor. In later hours in our rehearsal room this song has a big potential to get played again and again and again and it doesn’t matter how often you play it – it always gets even better and better. Respect to the bassplayer though.
The Black Angels - Science Killer
We opened with a song with a lot of tomplaying and we end with one. This is a perfect song for riggle through a fucked up, crowded and smoky club to the bar for ordering this one drink too much. At the bar you smoke a cigarette and just listen to this deep, dark and wicked song.
Ballad Of Geraldine S/T E.P. (balladofgeraldine.bandcamp.com)
A fine debut from this Halle Germany based band who's sound mixes the best of Kill Rock Stars inspired punk and psychedelic pop. "I Want You" has a strong 60's girl group presence with it's simple chord structure and raspy vocals. It's catchy and cool and will sit well beside some of your favorite garage rock classics. "Mine" is a quick two minute rocker full of surf guitar sounds and underlying angst that brings to mind The Wipers, Huggy Bear and Wire. "What's The Deal" is more melodic and moody, highlighted by a climbing ethereal guitar riff that creates an element of mystic and intrigue. An excellent collection of smoke filled, stripped down enticing rock n roll.
Julius Earthling make songs full of unbelievable charm and originality and their latest E.P. "NFL Bliss" is catchy, quirky and complex as the band blend a healthy dose of absurdly technical math rock with an indie pop sensibility. "The Faint Stew" starts off with dream like vibes that quickly give way to a barrage of twists and turns pulling you into all kinds of directions before settling back into a driving climatic ending. "575" features a buzz saw power chord presence matched with twangy reverb filled leads and a bridge that has a tinge of alternative dance rock flair. "Mind Grind" really ups the ante filling the song with a powerful riff and multiple tricked out leads that come off like Jawbox doing an improvised jam with Robert Fripp while "Motorcycle Trix", "2Kool4Skool" and "Tripper" further fuel the fires of extraordinary technical magnitude. Behind all this intricate musical wizardry is an incredibly captivating voice that puts forward a sense of warmth and atmosphere making the songs even more unique. A stellar record to say the least.
Brooklyn alt-rock heavyweights Paper Apes, debut is a full on blast of crushingly atmospheric rock n roll. Opening track "One" pulls no punches with it's wall of distorted guitars and pounding drums capped off by the dynamic voice of singer guitarist Dan Boscov-Ellen. "Indian Summer" is quicker and a bit more catchy but much more twisted and psychedelic. It adds a college rock vibe to the mix that's sure to be embraced by fans of Pavement and Built To Spill. "Sekhmet" delves into more ambient territory and has a truly beautiful section that again showcases Boscov-Ellen's incredible voice while "Siren Song" captures Guitarist Justin Purtle's angular riffs and dark tones alongside an underlying feel of hope. The intricate playing of Bassist Will Castellucci and Drummer Josh Weinberg comes to the forefront on "Heatwave". It's a complex track that puts an abrasive twist on the sounds of classic NYC bands like Television and Talking Heads. Overall their top notch song writing is Paper Apes biggest attribute. They know how to set a mood and create wonderful sounds around it. Certainly a band to watch in 2015.
Silence Through The Rain E.P. 1 (silencethroughtherain.bandcamp.com)
Silence Through The Rain combine post rock and synth pop sounds that channel the spirits of New Order,The Shamen and Depeche Mode. "Forevermore" starts with a catchy guitar riff backed by a fluttering synth tone and desolate vocals. The layers of striking guitar melodies build towards a wave of distortion and darkness. The mid tempo "Equilibrium" is a moody track that features an almost orchestral feel full of haunting tones and shimmering nuances. "Post Everything" focuses on the work of the rhythm section with it's trance inducing drumming and dynamic bass runs. It harnesses all the elements of the bands sound as they lock into a droning trance like state. An impressive collection of gloom and doom full of infectious hooks sure to inspire repeated listening.
The Be Colony "Settling Down" Single (thebecolony.bandcamp.com)
"Settling Down" is a brilliant piece of psychedelic pop from Fort Wayne Indiana band The Be Colony. It's go go beat and laid back bass line set the tone while the spaced out vocals show off a dynamic range and top notch quality in the vein of Tommy James & The Shondells. The guitar leads only add more favorable textures with their bursts of blistering fuzz and shimmering echo. Think ?Mark & The Mysterians, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels and The Delta 72. One of those songs that just feels great to sing along to.
Long Island instrumental band To Sail Beyond The Sun impress on this brand new six song E.P. Opening track "Reflections" begins with a very delicate slow moving chime filled riff that eventually explodes into a huge wall of sound that's like diving off a hundred foot cliff into the ocean. "Wanderers" has a more abrasive side that's backed by a thunderous beat, enhancing the cinematic vibes throughout the track. "Nazare" is fast and intricate and possibly the most spacey sounding of all the songs. The different movements flow very well together taking you on a hypnotic roller coaster ride. The pulsating bass line that drifts in mid track adds a really nice touch. "Stargazer" travels further into uncharted territory with it's other worldly guitar tones, while "Godspeed" closes out the E.P. in crushing fashion delivering a knock out blast of menace and power. A sonic journey through beautifully crafted ambient landscapes.
