Scrotum Poles 'Revelation' EP

I first learned of the Scrotum Poles through Messthetics and until now those compilations seemed to be the only way to acquire their songs. Dulc-i-Tone have stepped in and reissued their 1980 single 'Revelation', a 7" which back in the day the lads handmade and released themselves. The group from Dundee, Scotland called it quits a year later in 1981 but continued careers in the arts. Some went on to play in Pigs are Cute, Synthetic Dreams and Summerbees while, Steve Grimmond became the Director of Music, Art and Cultural Services at Dundee District Council.

If there is a better example of quality over quantity I'd like to see it, in these five tracks you really get your money's worth. Irresistible bedroom pop numbers 'Pick Cat's Eyes Out' and 'Helicopter Honeymoon' feature on the EP. Even on the Messthetics compilations incredibly extensive track lists these two songs outshone the wealth of other bands and their infectious quality leaves you humming their songs long after they're finished. The Scrotum Poles' LoFi recording quality would give the very best acts on Siltbreeze or Woodsist a run for their money making this 7" just as relevant today as it was thirty years ago. Limited to 500 copies!!!

Some places that have copies left.
Yakamashi
Goner
Florida's Dying

http://www.mediafire.com/?67k57874nze88c4

Please/Spin Spin the Dogs split 12"

Here we have a new edition to Upset the Rhythms 12" series celebrating UK's underground music. Spin Spin The Dogs team up with cartwheeling melodicists Please, demonstrating the bands' shared love of flipping the mundane on its head whilst running with the pulse of punk today.

Opener "Jumbo" sets the tone for the record with its quotidian focus and attention-tossing interplay, sounding as natural and quintessentially English as it gets. A song dealing with childhood promise and the realities of growing up, it lets the guitars freely roam. Forthright drums cement a core that singer Vincent Larkin uses to tumble his words across. "Every single word I say, could make you laugh, could make you cry", confesses Vincent, with his commanding yet oft-deadpan holler. Flipping over and weighing in on the Please corner is frenzied, feverish guitars and crashing rhythms dominating first track "Clothes", giving a taste of the band's impish demeanor. Hot off the blocks "The Germ" discusses themes of turning seasons amongst swirling space echo and cyclical clattering. Heavily instrumental and high-spirited Please tease with false endings and secret passageways, which exhibit well the extraordinary chemistry the three have forged.

Art work are paintings of Randy Newman lovingly made by the bands. Please and Spin Spin The Dogs combined on one LP make the UK underground a more fun place to lose your mind.

*co-written with Chris Tipton

You can find copies here
Spin Spin the Dogs-Jumbo by Upset the Rhythm
Please-Pass The Apple by Upset the Rhythm

The Rebel & Bomber Jackets Split 7"

Just out, brand new split 7” featuring two U.K underground bands. Side A features tracks from The Rebel, a project from Ben Wallers who is also the masterminded behind Country Teasers. Paired up with Wallers on Side B are The Bomber Jackets, a trio partly made up from a few members of the mighty Pheromoans.

The Rebel offers up newly penned songs "based around the theme of a new dance craze, the ‘Boston Toto Rush’". The Bomber Jackets’ side is comprised of two songs that sound like sonic polar opposites to each other. Opener "Strange Sensation" is a lethargic number with contorted vocals and consistent beats whereas, "Routemaster" is a bright, booming number layered with sanguine tinged synths and familiar spoken word vocals from Russell (The Pheromoans). These two tracks are taken from their cassette release ‘Amongst The Dumbells’ on Brighton’s Sex Is Disgusting Records. Thing that ties the single together is both bands sense of irony and love of art punk and DIY ethics. I've been shopping around for this one and through my travels have noticed these are going like hot cakes! It's out on Savoury Days in the UK and Kill Shaman in the U.S, Second Layer Records in the U.K still has copies.

Interview from Russell for Gilded Gutter

The Pheromoans 'My Mind Is On The Anti-Climb Paint'

Sandwiched between Convulsive Record's February release 'It Still Rankles' and upcoming LP on Red Lounge, Onec has put out 12" 'My Mind Is On The Anti-Climb Paint' from London's Pheromoans, with the sleeve masterfully hand crafted by band member James.

Opener "Limited Scope 1&2" features a steady bass and metronomic rhythms shuffling in the first part of the song apace with Russell Walker's spoken word confessions, "eye of the storm, I was always anticipating disaster". Interference from electrical bleeps at a radar pace tuning in (or out?) otherworldly fairground-like music. A curious slap from reality comes from sounds of cutlery and crockery scrapping together alongside prickling guitars feels brilliantly unsettling. "Newsagent Hop" is an out of tune urgent track coupling humor and apathy in the lyrics and it's this unique take on the tragicomic that remains a constant theme in The Pheromoans material. This is best summed up in final track "Conviction St. 1&2", "come back merchant all is forgiven, the man who liked to look at himself spoke like ninja turtle" is sung/spoken alongside bleak, sinking violins closing "it feels good to be in the eye of the storm". This 12" is a must have for anyone following the band if not just for the seven magnificent songs on here, but also the meticulous and lovingly hand made art work. The Pheromoans are going from strength to strength and this blogger is keeping her peepers peeled for that new LP on Red Lounge.

The LP is sold out and they saved the last copy for auction to raise money for the Japan Tsunami Appeal, for more information click here

Interview from Russell for Gilded Gutter

Pheromoans Facebook

MP3s for 'My Mind Is On The Anti-Climb Paint' here

The Pheromoans 'It Still Rankles'

The Pheromoans celebrated the release of new album 'It Still Rankles' in fine style last weekend at Ryan's Bar (with profits going towards Letha Melchior Rodman Cancer Fund).

With a run of singles on Sweet Rot, Savoury Days and Night People it was the label that put out their first 7" in 2009 that does the honors releasing Pheromoans debut full length. Convulsive Records (Animals & Men, Dan Melchior) have said of 'It Still Rankles' - "One of the first truly great albums of the decade", I mean to employ no sort of hyperbole when I say I agree. At the forefront of UK's DIY scene right now, The Pheromoans chew up 40 years of music and spit out two to three minute shambolic Punk masterpieces. Fans of Messthetics will enjoy this band as The Pheromoans have a gift for wrapping up all of the best bits of those compilations while leaving their very own distinct mark on the songs. Highlights 'Soft Targets', 'Monged on Valium' and 'Bad Dandelion'.

If you couldn't make it to Ryan's Bar never fear! The Pheromoans are playing with Tyvek in March right here in London, don't miss out on seeing one of the most exciting bands in the UK today.

Interview from Russell for Gilded Gutter
Limited to 500 copies!!

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