Best of 2012, yalls

In no real order, but the first three really slayed me this year...


Spacin' - Deep Thuds (Richie Records)

Black Bananas - Rad Times Xpress IV (Drag City)

Blues Control - Valley Tangents (Drag City)

Acid Mothers Temple - Son of a Bitches Brew (Important)

Goat - World Music (Rocket Recordings)

Acid Mothers Temple - La Novia LP (Prophase)

Antiseen - Blood of Freaks LP (TKO)

Void - Sessions (Dischord)

Howlin Rain - The Russian Wilds (Birdman)

Djin Aquarian & Plastic Crimewave Sound - Save the World (Prophase)

Moss Icon - Complete (Temporary Residence)

Antiseen/Brody's Militia - Primal Roar split 7" (Give Praise Records)

Aleister X - Thong Beach EP (Golden Haze Society)

Lee Scratch Perry Meets Aura - Full Experience EP (Sunspot)

Djin Aquarian and Plastic Crimewave Sound - Save the World LP (Prophase Music)

Damn, our friends at Prophase Music sure have been busy! Hot on the heels of the amazing reissue of Acid Mothers' La Novia comes a brand new release from Yahowha 13's Djin Aquarian and Chicago psych punks Plastic Crimewave Sound called Save the World!!


An album three years in the making (you dig my pics and words from their East Coast tour here), this one was worth the wait. Truly the ohhhmmm/duhhhh you (I) were (was) hoping for! Deep, swirling jams that blend a perfect mix of spontaneous and telegraphed moves in a headwash/rush of super fucking psychedelic tightrope walking. The original material is superb (especially the 15 minute+ "Ride My Merkabah") ; Djin tends to play an acoustic through a battalion of effects pedals (I am a sucker for such things) and it meshes perfectly with the tasteful electric sitar of Hands of Hydra as the rhythms keep some sense of reality intact.  When the band revisits the Father Yod classic "I'm Gonna Take You Home" things really take off and it is hard not to get all whirling dervish caught up in it.

These jams are housed in an absolutely gorgeous gatefold sleeve with art from Mr Plastic himself, the inner sleeve is triptastically amazing and apparently black light friendly. The pics do not do it justice! Looks like this is limited to 500 copies with an equal split between gold vinyl and blue vinyl (don't quote me on that, discogs). Get on it!

Acid Mothers Sunday Vol 31: Mainliner - Attack Nog

What? Two Acid Mothers Sundays in two days!? Halloween spirit or something. Anyways, this one is only one song and clocks in under 4 minutes, so don't get your hopes up. I was bumbling around the music library closet and happened upon Freakout Revisited, "The bootleg of the bootleg La Musica Box Set Psychedelic Freakout (LMB 041-050)..." Might as well let the liners for this 10 CD set continue:

"... described as: '1980-1990s studio & live, unreleased materials - heavy, garage, space, avant-garde, mondo & folk.' The collection is, in fact, compiled at least 90% from Galatic Zoo Dossier cassettes 1-4 and various other cassettes supplied to Nanjo Asahito by Plastic Crimewave... Asahito did not ask or tell Plastic Crimewave about this box set..."

So, anyways, Plastic Crimewave reissued this on his own with anointed/correct liners, etc. and it looks like it is still available. Tons and tons of great stuff from Mr. Crimewave himself, plus Fursaxa, Warrior Pants II, Musica Transonic, Maher Shalal Hash Baz and more.

One of the few songs Nanjo added to the box is this totally in the red Mainliner jam, "Attack Nog." One of their most High Rise moments for sure. This one is from the "Trouble Fill My Spoon" disc.

Mainliner - Attack Nog (Freakout Revisited)

Prophase Music/ Alien8 Recordings Night SXSW: March 17 2010

Okay, I am pretty sure I can mention this now... but after lots of planning, of which I did none, here is the awesome, awesome line up of the Prophase Music/ Alien8 Recordings night at SXSW:

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.
Yahowha 13
Plastic Crimewave Sound
Black Feelings
Duchess Says

Wow, holy shit! Yahowha 13 and AMT and more... and more to be announced! ahhh!!!

Wed March 17 6:00pm
Rusty Spurs
405 East 7th Street
Austin, TX 78701-3316
(512) 482-9002

Marble Sheep, Plastic Crimewave Sound, Kohoutek: M Room Philly Nov 7 2009

Day two of the Eastern PA Marble Sheep/Plastic Crimewave tour landed at the M Room in Philly! Woo! We were kinda burnt from the awesome whirl of the night before in Bethlehem but hopes and excitement was high for this one. After the usual scramble for parking, we rolled in and hung out with Prophase Mike and Kenzinger pints.

Kohoutek played a great heavy set with Clint from Bardo Pond on bass. The tribal jam action mixed with Monster Magnet big riffs sometimes bouncing around, joined by blasts of musically murky noise, kinda like that Boris and Merzbow live album. The blasts were big and echoed around the small space, more like clouds than lasers. A really peppy set that found them hitting pockets of greatness regularly. Mike mentioned a bit of shoegaze and I can definitely see that as well. Regardless, every Kohoutek gig is different, so don't miss any!




Sean from The Twin Atlas rolled in and we were stoked to see him. Plastic Crimewave Sound kicked out the jams as they say. The definitely benefited from a better sound system than the night before, Steve's vocals were actually audible so that was cool. That said, I have to concur with Mike again, it was a darker vibe from them, mixing a bit more snarl, putting more of the punk in the space punk, but more angry noise too. Regardless, they still had tons of chaos mixing some Altamont with, uh, I don't know, the Playboy Mansion?





After a stroll outside, we headed in for Marble Sheep, the long running psychedelic institution from Japan. Their wild and woolly show from the night before was still making our ears ring, but I couldn't help but get up front once again, who knows when this will happen again? Another powered up, high energy set, again the sound was a bit better in some ways, but the way the dual drums filled up the space in Bethlehem was tough to beat. Similar set as the night before, again hitting that super rock tribal high regularly. Space Punk indeed! I have to admit, watching them work it two nights in a row definitely winded me and I was just watching. Go see the rest of the tour if you can!! We snagged some merch (the Sheep's merch table rivals Acid Mothers Temple's!) and said our goodbyes and got pics with Captain Trip head honcho Ken and all that jazz to a slow motion drive home listening to the Clipse while rolling past Club Plush!

Marble Sheep, Plastic Crimewave Sound, Fursaxa, We Have Heaven Bethlehem Nov 6 2009

Great show last night in Bethlehem featuring great sets from all four freak outfits which have magically been preserved for download here.

Don't forget, Marble Sheep, Plastic Crimewave Sound, Kohoutek and Gondola at the M Room in Philly tonight, Saturday Nov 7!

We rolled up after work and while looking for the place, we saw some Japanese freaks crossing the street and going into a bar so we knew we were close. Saw Eric Raw Pogo and parked and hit the same bar (and you can smoke there!)for some beers and watching the Sheep hold court before heading over to the space, a cool basement with couches and murals, ya know.

We Have Heaven were great, stripped to a three piece of two guitars and drums. Shimmering chimey guitar chugging in that early Spacemen 3 school of drone, really connected tonight. After heading out for a smoke and such, we rolled back in all smiles for an amazing piece from Fursaxa. I haven't see Tara perform in ages and this simple set up of sampler (etc) and bells and voice was really powerful and perfect. Swirling layers of sound, filling up the room; the lights and shadows playing all over the walls, really meshing everything together. We were totally blown away and stunned after her short performance. Definitely needed some fresh air and thought collecting, Tara's music totally took my brain out of a cinderblock basement and into some sorta time travelish void, nothing super out there, daydreaming but being nudged along by the sound and vision...





After that fresh air, we rolled in for our first sight of the new Plastic Crimewave Sound, new bass player and Crimewave's bro on second guitar. Super psychy crunch, a bit more noise and way more heaviosity from that SG using bro. A weird inversion of the Djin & Plastic Crimewave Sound tour from last year, this one was more like Tony Iommi Wayne Kramer sitting in with the Sound. Super riffage with way effected solos and noise.



Couldn't believe I was actually gonna see Marble Sheep... One of thee first Japanese psych bands I got into, never thought I would actually see them live. So excited! Right up front for the weirdness... Captain Trip records head Ken on guitar and vocals and then... two drummers... SG rocking clown... and a leopard gal on bass. It made no sense, it was great! While I will always love the G.Dead era of the Sheep, their new stuff made a lot more sense after witnessing the deal live. Full on tribal killer space psych, definitely hitting on hard rock with big ass riffs and overloaded effects kinda like Hawkwind. Definitely cramming a ton of sounds into a small space, propelled by the two drummers vs the two guitarists while the leopard bass held down the down. Total frenzy that was really fun but taking some super frying trips into inner space. So worth the wait. So awesome.

Marble Sheep tonight!! Bethlehem!

Tonight's the night, yo!

The long long long awaited Marble Sheep USA tour is underway and the ship lands tonight in Bethlehem. Drop a line if you need directions!

Also tonight... Plastic Crimewave Sound, We Have Heaven and Fursaxa... it is truly a dream show!!! Just Stay On The Up Side!!!!

UPDATE: Tonight's show will be streamed online here: http://radio23.org/listen3.m3u

WOW!!!

And of course... Marble Sheep and PCWS are at the M Room in Philly tomorrow with Kohoutek!



(argh, how do I make that top video fit my margins!?)

Marble Sheep & Plastic Crimewave Sound Nov 2009 USA Tour Again

Thanks to comment from ark, here are the dates for the Marble Sheep/ Plastic Crimewave Sound with addresses, times and such! Wooo!

*11/03--Chicago--The Whistler w/Great Society Mind Destroyers, 9:30pm
*11/04--Detroit--Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (5141 Rosa Parks Blvd.) w/Frustrations Katt Hernandez/Eve Risser and Darkred (ex-Paik), 8pm
*11/05--Pittsburgh--The Nerve (500 Dargan Street at Minerva St.) w/Dire Wolves, 7pm (yes, an early show)
11/06 bethlehem, pa secret arts space. with fursaxa and we have heaven
*11/07--Philadelphia--The M Room (15 W. Girard Ave) w/Kohoutek and Gondola, 9:30pm
*11/08--Brooklyn--The Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Ave.) w/No Neck Blues Band and 12000 Trees, 8pm
*11/09--Brooklyn-Matchless bar (557 Manhattan Ave.) w/Verily White Hills and Slasher Risk, 8:30pm
*11/10--Baltimore--Golden West Cafe (1105 W.36th St) w/Mother Sun Flower (mem. of Flying Eyes), 10pm
*11/11--Cleveland--Now That's Class (11213 Detroit Ave, Cleveland OH 44102) w/Puffy Areolas and Flat Can Co.,10pm

(go Phillies!)

Mable Sheep/Plastic Crimewave Sound Tour Nov 2009

Just some more info on the local shows for the super awesome and much anticipated Marble Sheep USA 2009 tour with Plastic Crimewave Sound. Here are the dates in full:

nov.3-chicago-whistler
nov.4-detroit-detroit contemorary
nov.5-pittsburg-the nerve
nov.6-bethlehem, PA-Secret Art Space (with We Have Heaven and Fursaxa)
nov.7-philadelphia- the M Room
nov.8-ny-knitting factory
nov.9-ny-matchless
nov.10-baltimore-golden west cafe
nov.11-cleveland-now that's class

So the Philly show is now at the M Room and the opening bands are Kohoutek and Gondola.


Here is a flyer for the Bethlehem show and a post from Eric about it here.



It is gonna be so awesome, esp with super rad openers Fursaxa and We Have Heaven.

And of course, don't forget Chicago's psych punk road warriors, Plastic Crimewave Sound opening all shows. I hear Marble Sheep and PCWS are gonna jam the fuck out of Pavement's "5-4= Unity!"

Marble Sheep were one of thee first Japanese psych bands I picked up on and their mid period with intense Grateful Dead love is/was so in tune with my head, I will always be a mark for 'em, even if they seemed to have dropped the Deadness more or less... I am stoked to finally meet Marble main man and Captain Trip Records honcho Ken Matsutani (Captain Trip put out the God and Hair Yahowha 13 Box Set originally, so it all is CONNECTED!!!).

Marble Sheep and Plastic Crimewave Sound US Tour 2009

Just got the confirmed dates for the long awaited Mable Sheep & Plastic Crimewave Sound US tour, Nov 2009! Woo hoooo!!!

nov.3-chicago-whistler
nov.4-detroit-detroit contemorary
nov.5-pittsburg-the nerve
nov.6-bethlehem, PA-lehigh valley (with We Have Heaven and Fursaxa)
nov.7-philadelphia-the black lodge or....?
nov.8-ny-knitting factory
nov.9-ny-matchless
nov.10-baltimore-golden west cafe
nov.11-cleveland-now that's class

Happenings!

A few things in the next few weeks... tonight is Sonic Youth at the Electric Factory in Philly. I am really digging their new album, so sneak some pot in and find me. Thanks!

The Photon Band and Pink Skull and Black Landlord and a bunch of other bands are playing that Piazza in NOLIBS were those two people got executed the other week. That one is July 4th starting at 2 pm. I will be at the Phils/Mets game. F the Mets. No shit, right?



Outside of Philly, on July 9th, in Chicago is Plastic Crimewave's Million Tongues festival featuring none other than the most incredible band in the land, Yahowa 13!

Yahowa 13 are also rocking the Ottawa Blues Fest on July 11 too.

Ugh... Remaining Dates of Plastic Crimewave Sound Tour Canceled

Plastic Crimewave Sound and Djin and Mondo Drag got stuck at the border going to Canada and their work papers were not in order. Not sure the exact cause at the moment and such, but a massive drag. This leads to the cancellation of the rest of the tour. Huge bummer as the sets I saw were incredible... Damn. At least there was a recording session to document this historic meeting of the psych minds... to be continued...

Plastic Crimewave Sound & Djin Aquarian, La Otracina, Mondo Drag

At the Knitting Factory, NYC... Nov 12 2008...

Headed up to this one with Mike from Prophase. We were both a bit burnt from this same bill minus La Otracina, playing the night before in Philly. Took the train this time around and was also safe in the knowledge that was heading into work late the next day. Unfortunately we got there a bit late and missed openers Khoutek who had put on a nice set of slow boil psych the night before. Tuning into their CDs on the way up revealed some nice Spacemen 3 and/or Floyd tendencies.

We ran in for Mondo Drag and only caught the end of their set, definitely disappointing (that we missed most of their set, I mean), as they were shit hot in Philly; a great blend of Sabbath type heaviness and some really fluid, ultra spacey guitar work. Nice and tight but just enough room for some really out there guitar action. It ain't all mega heavy though, in Philly they played a jam that was so close to the Ghost/Kurihara/Quicksilver thing that I was stressing trying to figure out if it was a cover or not. Anyway it was a great 15 minutes or so we got to see of them. Very impressive and their CD is great, too. And the Quicksilvery jam is on their CD and myspace "Death Rattles." We celebrated them by feasting on an awesome cookie and hoisting Red Stripes. Here are some pics of Mondo Drag from Marvelous in Philly.




La Otracina were great as always, taking over with that swagger and spazz deal. Newish guitar dude Phil is fitting in great and they are like heavy Hawkwind psych at points, but also punk and shit. I swear, my buzzed skull was demanding I yell out for "Walk Together, Rock Together" but luckly I didn't listen. They played the hits "Raze the Sky" and "Fight For The Night" as well as a jam that either was "Kick Out the Jams" or sounded just like it. I was a little dizzy at the point, so sue me. The heavy riffing and the swinging drums and that little bit of evil in with all the good vibes.





We retired for some much needed awes and a smoke break outside. It seems the Knitting Factory is moving to Brooklyn, which is a bummer of course. I saw a lot of great bands there and had lots of good times. Yep.

So this was the moment... Plastic Crimewave Sound with Djin Aquarian of Yahowa 13 as their second guitarist. I actually had to bail before they played their Philly gig, so this was my first exposure to the joined forces of psych goodness, all with that Chicago tie and stuff. Starting off with a cover of the Grateful Dead's "Caution (Do Not Step On Tracks)" (that is slated for release on a Dead covers comp I am putting together), the pretty much took off immediately, spirals and washes of deep guitar goodness mixed perfectly with each other. Steve was taking a more rock/heavy sound going on while Djin's acoustic through a bunch of effects provided such awesome color and background. While it was a super out there cover of one of the Dead's most heavy jams, Djin still gave a new dimension to the PCWS sound. I was definitely swirling myself and getting totally lost in the layers. Mark and Lawrence locked down a nimble (but not light) propulsive rhythm and Djin and Steve just piled on with the guitars. I stumbled around and took some pics and enjoyed more Red Stripe as they tore through some PCWS jams that sounded great with the addition of Djin's way distinctive play. They also played Djin's "Dinosaurs" and some other totally spontaneous jams. Nice long repetitive jams going deeper and deeper into the frontal lobe. Massively psychedelic, totally delivered on my high expectations. After much babble and beers and all that jazz, it was a knocked out train ride/car ride home for me and half day at the work place.











UPDATE: Ugh... PCWS and Mondo Drag got stopped at the Canadian border. Problems with the work papers... Massive bummer and the rest of the tour is canceled at this point... Fuck.

New from Prophase...

Sorry for lack of blog action, I blame the Phillies (fingers crossed)... that said, you can totally celebrate the rain delay with these new releases from Prophase Recordings:

Plastic Crimewave Sound- Plastic Crimewave Sound (click here to buy)




Yahowa 13 - Sonic Portation (click here to buy)




And don't forget the upcoming Plastic Crimewave Sound tour, with Djin of Yahowa 13 on second guitar!!!

Plastic Crimewave Sound & Djin Aquarian 2008 Tour!!

Here are the dates for the Plastic Crimewave Sound & Djin Aquarian (guitarist from Yahowa 13) 2008 tour.

I will add more info, etc. when I get a chance/know more... but seriously, this is gonna be insanely awesome!!!

friday 11/7: cleveland (grog shop)
saturday 11/8: pittsburgh (gooski's)
sunday 11/9: dc (the velvet)
monday 11/10: baltimore (the talking head)
tuesday 11/11: philly (marvelous records)
wednesday 11/12: nyc (knitting factory)
friday 11/14: montreal (salsa)
saturday 11/15: toronto (sneaky d's)
sunday 11/16: detroit (the bohemian)

New from Prophase Music- Plastic Crimewave Sound - No Wonderland

Today is the release date for the Prophase reissue of the Plastic Crimewave Sound CD, No Wonderland. This is a reissue of the 2LP, out of print, set from Eclipse Records. Best PCWS album there is. For now. You can get it through Forced Exposure or direct at Seeofsound.com.

Here are some PCWS pics from their Baltimore show this summer, more pics here.