Magik Markers : Surrender To The Fantasy

'Surrender To The Fantasy' is the new LP from noise-wave crew Magik Markers.  These nine new recordings feature a fresh line up comprised of: Elisa Ambrogio, Pete Nolan and John Shaw.  Joining the band in basements, J Mascis' attic, Pete's "old music room" and a practice space in Brooklyn were Aaron Mullan and Justin Pizzoflerrato, who captured Magik Markers most compelling work to date.  'Surrender To The Fantasy' focuses on familiar tools: guitars, keys, drums and bass, to refine the savage live approach used on earlier albums.  The record melts American rock swagger, psychedelia, folk and visceral noise together in a way that challenges what the band have done before.  This is fittingly shown on "Acts Of Desperation", with Ambrogio taking over drums whilst Nolan bliss-es out on guitar alongside a bluesy harmonica breezing through the track.  "Bonfire" kicks things up a gear invoking mayhem and destruction in a way that completely turns 'punk' on its head.  Songs tie in to places significant to the band like "Crabs" (Hartford, Connecticut) and "American Sphinx Face" (Holy Oke, Massachusetts) for example.  "American Sphinx Face" utilizes distorted/fuzzed/Wah-ed out guitar to needle notes throughout, apace with improvised beats anchored by Shaw's mesmerizing bass line.  'Surrender To The Fantasy' reveals curious twists and turns the more you spend time with it so don't be surprised to find it calling you back for repeated listens.  Magik Markers continue to tread through the underside of American ritual and rock 'n' roll with their usual zeal on 'Surrender To The Fantasy' whilst hitting a new stride as they go. 

Magik Markers 20.11.2013@Upset The Rhythm

Magik Markers 20.11.2013@Upset The Rhythm, a set on Flickr.

Fuzz : Fuzz

Roland Cosio, Ty Segall and Charles Moothart make up power trio Fuzz.  Their first album follows well received single 'Sleigh Ride' also released through In The Red.   'Fuzz' builds on the explosive rock sound from the 45 merging Black Sabbath-esque metal with Hendrix psychedelic stylings on guitar.  'Fuzz' even references grunge with their sludgy number "What's In My Head" that sees Moothart subvert the riff from Stiltskin's "Inside".  As the band name and title suggest there is fuzz accompanied by pounding drums, hefty bass and meteoric guitars, this is best shown on "Haze Maze".  "Hazy mazes tryin' to get to you, well it will end where it began, with your body placed beneath the sand, in again the cycle never ends, made of SKIN forgive your human sin", Segall sings in a strung out holler - and it's these ideas of morality and mortality that thread through the lyrics.  "Loose Sutures" continues, "Bleak futures on the run, I don't know what's to come, fate's forging, beams bent on burning me, run...", accompanied by 70's stadium style breakdown's in the music letting each instrument have their own joyous tangents (and you should have seen people freakout during this song during their show at The Dome recently).  'Fuzz' is made up of 8 interplanetary metal songs that is everything you want from a modern band interpreting 60's/70's rock sounds, for those who need fuzz in their life, here's Fuzz with 'Fuzz', get fuzzy, get Fuzz.

Gutter Snaps: Nate Young, Destruction Unit, Please and more...

kimberlypowenski's photostream on Flickr.

A few show snaps from the last month or so...

Dead C : Armed Courage

New Zealand legendary noise makers return with new album 'Armed Courage' for Badabing Records.

After nearly 40 years playing together Michael Morley, Bruce Russell and Robbie Yeats for the first time appeared on the front cover of a music publication not so long ago, and what more fitting than The Wire to host them.  It goes without saying The Dead C were long overdue the accolade as they've always made music on the precipice.  The trio eschew trends and fads allowing them to exist in their own world creating something uniquely theirs, resulting in a vast catalogue of releases that remain unparalleled.

This new album is comprised of two ruminative incantations; Side A "Armed", Side B "Courage".  "Armed" is a weathered track entangling whirling fuzz, gnawed guitars and turbulent rhythms forging something rattled and ominous.  Hunkered down on the following side is "Courage", hollowed out with sedated vocals, static hum, needled guitars and splattered rhythms - which all gradually pull into focus to playout a rapt improvised jam before plaintively withdrawing.  This album is a must have for the converted and new comers alike.

Magik Markers : Ice Skater / Machines

Magik Markers have returned!  New single 'Ice Skater /  Machines' precedes their new album out next month on Drag City.  Three piece Ambrogio, Nolan and Shaw utilize drum machines, seraphic vocals and eventide synths on euphoric A Side, 'Ice Skater'.  Flipping over to Side B, 'Machines' is a gnarly, instinct driven jam wired with wrangled guitars, loose drums and gulping bass featuring otherworldly effects overarching the whole thing.  This new single introduces some new ideas Magik Markers have incorporated into their sound and a track capturing the savage improvised approach they're known and loved for.  Can't wait for 'Surrender To The Fantasy' - they're playing in London 20th November at Bethnal Green Working Men's Club NOT TO BE MISSED!

Destruction Unit : Deep Trip

Destruction Unit are; Ryan Rousseau, Rusty Rousseau, Nick Nappa, JS Aurelius and Justin Keefer.  They're a noisy rock band from Arizona.  Since a few line up changes and settling into a five piece the band have released cassettes on their own Ascetic House and a debut LP called 'Void'.   Since making their mark with cacophonous punk Destruction Unit have been picked up by Sacred Bones for 2nd album 'Deep Trip'.  These eight new songs amplify the vortex of crashing sounds forged from psych and rock you may have come to know in previous releases.  "The World On Drugs" opens the album with stormy fuzz, crashing rhythms and bellowing vocals sounding just about as volatile as it gets, and from here the album doesn't let up for a second.  "Slow Death Sounds" shifts things up another gear with delirious vocals, warped guitars and rampant drumming pushing the song to it's limits before sharply coming to an end.  Another favourite track is head-spinner "Control The Light", a raucous track that walks in the steps of punk but in different shoes.  'Deep Trick' is a great new rock album, it's great new rock for that matter, when you're done listening to this it will make everything else you have on your ipod seem like a waste of time.