Monday, October 25, 2010

Black Mamba Beat












Ever since killer 'Work That Skirt/Black Mamba Beat' split tape made its way around stereos in 2008, it's the height of understatement to say I was excited for this debut full length. And here it is! Courtesy of Jeektune Records the self titled first album from Black Mamba Beat is here! Celebrating it's release recently at Ryans' Bar, the London based South African band boasts none other than Mr Stix of the mighty Black Time as one of its members. Sure, it's fair to say if you like Black Time you'll dig Black Mamba Beat, but don't be surprised to find differences between the two. Scratchy guitars and lofi recordings are consistent with Black Time stuff, but, Black Mamba Beat is dominated by male vocals and takes post-punk in a pop-py direction. Featuring 'Where Was I?' and 'Indigo Skatecamp' from the the cassette plus ten new head bashing songs, Chief Sosati (guitar, vocals), Space Rat (Bass, vocals) and Rosie Skinz (drums) are some of UK's DIY finest. It seems few and far between with the sheer volume of records that get put out every day now, that you get excited before something comes out, save up money and go get it right on the release date - like we used to right? Black Mamba Beat is one of those bands that created that for me, may be they will for you too, I don't know...

Jeektune;
"BLACK MAMBA(Dendroaspis polylepis) is an elapid snake and is one of Africa's most dangerous snakes. It has been known to arrive at parties and inject patrons with its venomous beer bite which causes people to headbang or shake a tail feather, the "fuck it, let's have fun" ingredient in the venom eradicates all pretense and pose. Ingredients of said venom include obsession with Minutemen econo ethics, Beat Happenin' beats, CCR and Mat's flannel. “We walk like the lion!! We got the BEAT!”"

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Cheap Time 'Fanstastic Explanations (And Similar Situations'













The wait is over! 'Fantastic Explanations (And Similar Situations)', follow up to 2008's universally loved debut from Cheap Time is out on In The Red. In the 10 or so years Jeffrey Novak has been releasing material, his song writing style has unfolded from his first project Jeffrey Novak's One Man Band, to teeth shattering Rat Traps stuff, to ritzy self released 'After the Ball'. The slew of Cheap Time's first singles on Douchemaster and Sweet Rot saw all of this rolled into one with sneaky references to Big Star, Milk 'n' Cookies and Redd Kross. Mixing 70s rock with contemporary garage punk using power pop to facilitate their inspiration, Cheap Time creates an irresistible glittering modern kind of glam-punk-watchimacallits. It's become something of internet fodder that original engineer Mike McHugh suffered a breakdown and chucked the band out of the studio at gunpoint during the recording of 'Fantastic Explanations'. The tapes were retrieved and then finished by Earle Mankey (ex Sparks). I'm a believer that the mistakes and screw ups can play just as (if not more than) an important part in art being made - and in this case, not that I like reading that people were held at gunpoint mind, Mankey has helped make one hell of a record. Highlights 'Down the Tube' and 'I'd Rather Be Alone'. This record is available exclusively in this stratosphere, as in world wide, as in right now!


Read full review of Fantastic Explanations (and Similar Situations) - Cheap Time on Boomkat.com ©