it won't let me post a comment

hmm... i'll have to see what's up with that.

anyways, here's the link for the abuse:

http://sharebee.com/b0207dcd

The Abuse-S/T

I hope you're liking the new look...finally got off my ass and stopped using one of the free templates.

I also promised you some good 'ole street punk. Today's band is the abuse, a punk band from Vacaville (at town that's about as far east as the east part of the San Francisco bay goes) Pretty standard, sounds alot like oi!, which I love. Nothing super spectacular, but the female vocals make it pretty unique in the punk world. This is all that they put out, as far as I know. Of course, there's not much on the 'net about them.

The quality isn't so good. Listenable, for sure, but kinda noisy and just so-so. I can get a better copy if anyone really likes it.

Cadallaca-Out West EP

I was feeling lazy, and wondering what I should blog about. For some reason, I wondered to myself, I wonder how many people have blogged about Cadallaca. Turns out, like nobody. Huh?

Basically, Cadallaca was a side project of Sleater-Kinney with Corin Tucker, Sarah Dougher (the lookers) and STS (also from the lookers). They never really broke up, but only released two albums, introducing Cadallaca in '98 and the Out West EP in '99. Us Corin Tucker fans desperately wait for news that Cadallaca is active again, but I fear that's not going to happen anytime soon. In the meanwhile, enjoy some good indie rock with organs (very girl-groupy feel, or take Sleater-Kinney at it's most playful and throw in some organ). Someday I'll upload their introducing LP as well, or sooner if people want it.

I also have some street punk coming up for you probably sunday. So check back for that. Good stuff.

Ripped at 320. Link in comments.

Tiger Trap-Supercrush 7"

I just watched the documentary K Records: The Shield Around The K, and while the documentary itself wasn't spectacular, the story it told was rather spectacular. That makes the Tiger Trap post that I've been promising you all even more fitting. If you like K records, or indie/pop/rock in general, definitely check it out.

Tiger Trap is simply fucking amazing. They have a little more guitar bite than a lot of twee pop, which I love. But, it just seems to be infinitely cuter, better, catchier, local (we like to brag about it, probably too much), and there's just something about Rose Melberg, that makes it so much better than most twee pop. I saw her play solo in Sacramento back in November of last year, and while I love her solo stuff, I had to tell her that Tiger Trap will always have my heart. It's one of my favorite bands. So much so, that I actually got the courage to ask to take a picture with her. That's an accomplishment for me.

Most people (me included) haven't heard of the Supercrush 7" they put out on K around the same time that they released their first album. The best part of it is the last song- hiding- which you can't get anywhere else. So, if you're a fan of Tiger Trap or twee pop in general, I have a treat for you.

Ripped from a good enough vinyl at 320. Link in the comments. All hail Rose Melberg.

Uhh sorry about that.

I totally thought I put the link for the Yum Yum Tree cd in the comments... uhh I didn't. Oops.

A couple of notes...
I converted a tiger trap 7"-the supergrass 7'' to be exact. I dunno, is it common? At least to illegally download? I didn't know about until recently. It has a song on it that's not on their two main releases, which is awesome because they didn't put out much! So that'll be up probably Wednesday. Maybe even Tuesday if I have my shit together (rare, sigh). Oh snap, it's already Tuesday....well late Tuesday. Maybe if you all prey to the twee pop gods. Maybe.

Check out this defunct-ish band that splintered into Grass Widow. A friend has a cd of them that I hope to borrow and when that happens you will also enjoy the wonderfulness that is Yes Please.

Yes Please

I swear the yum yum tree cd is in the comments. I SWEAR.

Yum Yum Tree

Short and simple today.

Yum Yum Tree was a hardcore punk/riot grrrl band from NYC in the mid to late 1990's. They released a number of 7's, a cd, and a 10inch. I have a fairly large collection, so I will post more when I get around to it.

Today, I have their cd, trenDy, from 1994. It's hard to find information on them, as there's this band called The Yum Yum Tree that's new and pretty active. I have no clue what it sounds like, but from a superficial stereotyping (I know, I know) it looks like indie crap. If you like them, let me know. If you were led to my page thinking that I was blogging about them, sorry.

Sonically, yum yum tree has much more of a hardcore feel to their songs than most riot grrl, and a little more diversity too. I like it. Generally people know if they like riot grrrl/punk or not.

Ripped at 320. Link in comments.

Widow Babies- Jetpacks

Sorry about the delay. I hate excuses so I won't give you one.

Perhaps, today's post will make up.

I normally post 7 inches, because, well, it's easier to copy and takes less work, and generally are rarer. However, when I came across the Widow Babies a couple of months back, and didn't find them anywhere on the 'net, I was thoroughly shocked and disturbed. See, I think that the period including and immediately after the punk explosion- I'll say '76 to '84 or so- is musically, the most fascinating and important period in rock music (but also lot of other genres) in all of humanity. You 60's buffs can shut up- I'm convinced and I'm not changing my mind.

Now alot of things happened musically in this period, but I personally am a fan of what happened because of punk. Obviously, then, my favorite modern music directly takes from the spirit, style, sound, etc, and combines it with new and more modern things, thus being new and old, forward and backward at the same time.

Perhaps it's the 'scene' that I find myself in, the times, the larger trends in 'diy'/indie, or just my perception, but all I seem to hear about is another animal collective variant or lo-fi grimey noise rock. I'm probably just complaining here, but as the famous sociologist C. Wright Mills mused, the self is the junction of history and biography. So maybe I should step back and ask why the current musical trends are they way they are, and why they're so prevalent here in Sacramento. I have a couple ideas...

Enough bullshit. This is a music blog dammit, and I've got some damn good post punk influenced female-vocalist mother fucking rock. The Widow Babies are from L.A. and I feel the 'soul' of the Minutemen in their work (if not the direct sound, but they have made a song about Mike Watt). Stylistically, it's got lots of polyrythms, giving it a raincoats feel, but no violins. I guess, kind of a Raincoats meet A Certain Ratio meet a couple other things. The closest modern equivilent I can think of is New Bloods, whom I have already blogged about. Of course, someone else already has said it and better: "quick-paced African-tinged surf punk". Yeah, mostly.

It's a really cool clear vinyl. I recommend spending 10 bucks for it, if nothing else. Yeah, that's all it costs.

Ripped at 320. Link in comments.

Myspace

Buy at olFactory Records

The Sandwitches

So, I'm not dead, just crazy busy.



I kind of feel bad not having something really rare or special and just kind of 'dumping' or recomending something to you. They're not getting much attention yet anyways. I think that's going to change.



I also normally don't post new and upcoming music, because I seem to always be behind.



The Sandwitches (that's not a typo) are from San Francisco, the best city on earth. I plug them not because they're local, but they have a really unique and great sound. I personally feel it's the modern day indie rock/folk/pop equivilant of Fleetwood Mac, and boy do I love Fleetwood Mac!



Needless to say, if you like Fleetwood you'll like the Sandwitches. They get a little more bluesy and folky than fleetwood mac, so it's not like a modern day clone or anything. Plus, the album cover is freaking sweet man! What the hell's up with that cat? I want to pet it, but it's probably a killer mutant kitty of doom. "Here kiddy kiddy kiddy, her-AHHAHHHAHHAH MY FACE"


Here's the link.

Unfortunately, I think that one's only ripped at 192kb. You can't argue when it's free...


Myspace

Lorette Velvette

I'm not really sure why I started a blog. I mean, I'm a really shy person who doesn't really like to talk to people, just listen. Sometimes, however, just listening to people draws undue and unwanted attention to myself, so I'm obligated to talk to then shift the focus of me not talking away from me and back to whomever was originally talking.

I follow a number of blogs, not because I like the blogs per se, or the writing, but because they like the same music that I do. In fact, I have a rather negative stereotype about people that write blogs. Especially musical ones.

Most of the time, I think I started it to show people music that I really like (selfish, I guess) and want other people to like. Perhaps to start a conversation?

Anyways, the point of this post is to introduce whomever reads this thing. To you, reader x, shall now meet Lorette Velvette. I'm continuing my 90's trend, but moving now to a little blues/punk/country mix. I will admit that this is pretty much out of my 'territory' as in knowledge, not as in liking. When I come across it, I generally like it. I guess I should make more of an effort to come across it?

The best way to describe it is kind of garage/acid blues punk, with a little country twang. It sounds fairly countrish upfront, but her later releases are a little odder. Actually, she kind of has alot in similar with the White Stripes. Hmm?

She seemed to be active mostly in the 90's in Memphis. The links have alot more information if you sound like giving her a shot with your ears.

I should listen to more of this. Musical vegetables, kids.

White Birds: 1993

Dream Hotel: 1995

Lost Part of Me: 1997

Shallow-I Wonder / Straight Away 7"

So, I guess i'm continuing on the dream pop tangent today as well.

Shallow is a dream pop/shoegaze band from Kansas City. They're still together, but this is one of their earlier releases, from 1997. Some of their later stuff is a little more experimental.

Not too much to say about this one, pretty nice, and pretty dreamy. It's more of a sleeper than an immediate "OH MY GOD".

Myspace

I Wonder/Straight Away 7" ripped from mint vinyl, at 320kb. Link in comments.

Siddal-Frozen Garden 7"

I love, love, love dream pop. I also love shoegaze and darkwave and...

You get the point. But I love dream pop perhaps the most (of those closely related genres). So when I came across some Siddal my ears perked up (haha, literally and figuratively). I haven't posted any dream pop on here. Not 'traditional' as if there really is a traditional dream pop band, perhaps say the Cocteau Twins. Did you ever notice however, that even though they're quoted as being the godmother of dream pop, that they don't really sound alot like most dream pop bands? I mean, Treasure and Head Over Heels both have actually a pretty dynamic guitar sound. Maybe the later dream pop is more influenced by shoegaze? Thinking out loud I guess.

Siddal doesn't particularly sound like the Cocteau Twins, but they are both dream pop, so stylistically it's similar. I guess it's more like ethereal, like the Cranes. If you like the Cocteau Twins, chances are you're going to like Siddal as well.

Siddal was from Portsmouth, Virginia, comprised of Elaine Winters (vocals, keyboards) and Richard Brinkley (guitar, bass, programming). They were active from about 1992 to 1999. This 7" I have for you today, is their first. Usually, I feel it's important to start with the band's first work and evolve with them. Unless their first album is shitty or stylistically very different (Cocteau Twins are a case in point, but also My Bloody Valentine, Dinosaur Jr...don't get me started) than their more celebrated work.

So, without further ado, I present to you, Siddal's first 7", Frozen Garden. I didn't take any pictures, because I never use them and it's a waste of space. If that really bothers you, I can take some pics. The vinyl's a really pretty plum purple too.

If you're still interested, check out this cool little page with a bunch of info.

Ripped from a near mint vinyl at 320kb, of course. Link in the comments.

XXY

Here is another great riot grrrl/punk band for you all to enjoy.

XXY was an all girl band from Nebraska. Don't count that against them however- they rock!

Not much on the internet about them. They were active in the late 90's. I have two 7 inches for you, punk rocket and cockrocker. I have no clue if they put out any more albums.

They have a little more fun/joke edge to them than most riot grrl/punk bands. Needless to say, if you like punk rock, take a listen.

Ripped at 320 from a mint vinyl.

Link in the comments

Suzy Saxon and the Anglos

I finally have the pleasure of introducing you to a great band which you can't find anywhere on the internet. Or even in digital form! This perplexes me as they put out three albums, an EP and a number of singles. Who knows, right?

Suzy Saxon and the Anglos were a rock band in the 80's and early 90's from Richmond, Va. Wikipedia compares them to Blondie, but the only similarity I see is that they both have a lead female and a bunch of guys backing them up. Soundwise, The Anglos have a much more jangle pop/REM/ alt-country vibe to me. Why they didn't become super famous I have no clue.

I love them, personally, and if you like a little jangle in your rock and a little 80's in your life, I'm pretty sure you'll like them too. College rock definately doesn't sound like this anymore! I sound old! I wasn't even alive when this came out! (1988).

Anyways, here for you today is their second to last release, A Deal's A Deal. I can also digitize from vinyl their first LP if anyone's interested. I just got around to transferring a bunch of stuff, so stay tuned because there's gonna be alot of really rare stuff.

Link in the comments. Ripped at 320 from a pretty much mint vinyl.

Tony's Theme

I listened to both my shows yesterday, and while I made a few mistakes, it's really not bad at all.

The link below is for my second show, Tony's Theme, which was mostly garage rock/grunge/punk. Next week is going to be more shoegaze/darkwave/ambient stuff.

Listen (320kb)

Playlist

Prince Rama of Ayodhya

I have been going nuts lately. The new quarter is upon us, and so is my new radio show!

In case you like anything that I post on this blog, then you're going to love my show.

It's not really my show...it's more 'our' show, as I co-host on with the amazing Prince Rama of Ayodhya loving Gwendolyn. This is an inside joke... and now I'll know how often she reads my blog, Muhahaha. Anyways, our show, Calling All Girls!, is on 90.3fm on the radio if you're near Davis/Sacramento, Ca, from 4-6am this wendsday morning. Then we alternate. (We're on the 1st and 3rd of the month). You can also stream from kdvs.org via Itunes or whatever afterward, so you don't have to get up early. After the show, I'll post it up here too. Please be gentle, it's my first time.

The show is going to feature female vocalists from all over history and alot of different genres, but mostly rock, folk, and electronic. Later, perhaps, we'll venture into reggae or Czechoslovakian industrial music, but for now we're keeping it pretty simple.

I'm also going to have a show every Wednesday (not alternating) directly after, from 6am to 8:30am, thankfully a little more sane hour. That show, to be named, will be indie rock/college rock/shoegaze/indie pop/ 80's in general, mostly. I'm gonna play some guys on that one. I know, right, he listens to guys? Yep.

Speaking of Prince Rama of Ayodhya, that's what this blog post is actually about. I had (what at the time seemed to be the disservice) of seeing them play live back in September. My pesky co-host insisted we listen to them again (she's not really pesky at all, I guess, whatever). I still don't know. But it definitely was better than last time. Perhaps it's a sleeper?

It's a real psychedelic record, not rock, almost Native American in it's feel. It's pretty much impossible to describe. So I'm going to let you all listen to it. Just because I'm not super into it (yet, maybe, maybe) you might like it. I also think things should be well balanced, and this is sure helping this blog be better balanced (say that five times fast!). This stuff is like the musical equivalent of vegetables: you need it, and you know it, and sometimes you like them, but other times you just aren't feeling like eating your vegetables and so you say "fuck my vegetables mom, I don't want any dessert" (and then secretly munch on your candy stash anyways). You know?

Some day I might post their actual album.

Last but not least, the moral of this blog post:

EAT YOUR MUSICAL VEGETABLES KIDS.

Prince Rama of Ayodhya live at WFMU (god knows where that is)

Myspace

Ahh... I Forgot.

Yeah, I totally forgot about that list. My favorite new thing from last year, female vocal wise, was either Rose Melberg's new album, Homemade Ship, or anything that Grass Widow put out this year. They're quite a bit different, I know, but so am I. Muhahaha. (That was meant to be an evil laugh). Rose Melberg does a soft cute acoustic and Grass Widow does a post-punk noise pop kind of gig.

Rose Melberg

Grass Widow