Singles: Two Inch Astronaut, Indian Handcrafts, Big Deal, The Child Of Lov w/ DOOM

Two Inch Astronaut: "Blood From a Loyal Hound" (via Exploding In Sound Records)




Indian Handcrafts: "Bruce Lee" (via Noisey/Sargent House)




Big Deal: "Dream Machines" (via Mute)




The Child Of Lov: "Owl" (featuring DOOM) (via Life or Death PR)



Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

Master Musicians of Bukkake: "Gnomi" (Video)

What I hear is Josh Homme's Desert Sessions and Neu! filtered through a voluntary downer intake and hours of hunting shows and scrambled porn.  Master Musicians of Bukkake's Far West will be out June 10th.  In the meantime, check out "Gnomi" and view the info, which was provided by Rarely Unable.


 
MASTER MUSICIANS OF BUKKAKE EUROPEAN TOUR BEGINS THIS WEEK; ANOTHER VIDEO UNEARTHED

On the eve of their 2013 European tour, Master Musicians of Bukkake have released another mysterious video, a sequel of sorts to the previously unveiled 'White Mountain Return' this time for the track 'Gnomi'. On this video there are similar unsettling vibes but the tone of the song and the music takes a u-turn from white noise and synths into progressive folk with sinister vocals.
Here is the direct link: http://youtu.be/BDnlztE9Yog

Don't forget you can also watch the video for 'White Mountain Return': http://youtu.be/zof_tW4HrT0
Both tracks are taken from their brand new album Far West, which is due for release 10 June through Important Records.

TOUR DATES COMMENCING THIS WEEK...

15-05-2013 - Zeche Carl - Essen, Germany
16-05-2013 - Stpln - Malmo, Sweden
17-05-2013 - Truckstop Alaska - Gothenburg, Sweden
18-05-2013 - Bla - Oslo, Norway
19-05-2013 - Kagelbanan - Stockholm, Sweden
20-05-2013 - Loppen - Copenhagen, Denmark
21-05-2013 - Kantine am Berghain - Berlin, Germany
22-05-2013 - Ut Connewitz - Leipzig, Germany
23-05-2013 - OCCII - Amsterdam, Netherlands
24-05-2013 - VK - Brussels, Belgium
25-05-2013 - Villette Sonique - Paris, France w/ Neurosis, Swans
31-05-2013 - Stereolux - Nantes, France
01-06-2013 - Trix - Antwerp, Belgium w/ Wolf People, Alvarius B, ...
02-06-2013 - Jubez - Karlsruhe, Germany
04-06-2013 - L'Usine - Geneva, Switzerland

“Go west, young man.” –Horace Greeley

On Far West the Master Musicians of Bukkake mark a turn from their Totem Trilogy. If the Totems were an expression of yang energy, then the Far West cycle is the yin that took seed within the trilogy.

What happens when you travel so far east looking for enlightenment that you pass your destination and are headed west again? The mania of being lost in the mountains of the Cascade Corridor, searching aimlessly for the Northern Pacific coast. A spiritual Donner party of sorts, feeding off fantasy and mirages and imaginary shamans. Far West is the soundtrack to this expedition to the caves of light we all travel into with hopes of acquiring redemption, only to realise our bodies have dissolved—gone like rain from the sky, snow from the ground, thoughts from the mind.

The sound of Far West is a progressive folk record inspired by Paul Giovanni’s Wicker Man soundtrack, early Canterbury prog folk, the suspenseful soundtracks of Goblin and Ennio Morricone, Gerry Goldsmith’s interwoven dark orchestrations, and Pacific Northwest folk rock. The Master Musicians of Bukkake take an earthly and shamanistic approach to these influences and infuse it with Krautrock pulses interweaved with acoustic guitars, intricately layered rhythms, hazed-out modular analog synths, brassy stabs, and cultish choirs. A true psychedelic, audiophile experience to dissolve your body in.

Far West also features backing vocals by Sub Pop! recording artists Rose Windows, a deluxe cover illustration by Simon Fowler (see below) and the amazing photography of Alison Scarpulla.

Master Musicians of Bukkake is:
David Abramson: percussion, drums, tef, shaman shakers, green fog
B.R.A.D: percussion, vocals, candles, sights unseen
Don McGreevy: percussion, drums, 12 string electric and acoustic guitar, mellotron, bass, brass arrangements
Randall Dunn: korg analog synths, mellotron, divining rod, water seeking foolishness
Milky: electric and acoustic guitar, synths, vocals, mossy fuzz
Timm Mason: electric guitar, serge modular synth, electric bass, insects

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

Marnie Stern at Johnny Brenda's: Last Night of Giving a Hoot

Little Big League
Barren Girls
Marnie Stern

Johnny Brenda's
Philadelphia, PA
5.10.13

Marnie Stern ended the American leg of the Who Gives A Hoot '13 tour in Philadelphia on what wound up being a very rainy Friday night.  Indoors at Johnny Brenda's, we were being charmed by Stern, who amusingly attributed her lack of voice to an excessive helping of blow jobs during the tour, (the real reason being a drunken night of karaoke, a factoid publicly disclosed by bassist Nithin Kalvakota), and demanded that the crowd relieve themselves of their clothing (a couple t-shirts made it to the stage).  Touring drummer, Joe Wong, had no trouble shedding his t-shirt for the cause.

Yes, the banter always wins at a Marnie Stern show.  But, so does the music.

Since 2009, I've been to every Stern event in Philly, (the ONE exception being that Tera Melos show that I'm still annoyed I missed), and with every event she's become a bigger name who draws larger audiences.  Her newest album, The Chronicles of Marnia, has seemed to garner more of a public response than any of her previous albums, (the volume of reviews, interviews and show coverage has been pretty significant), and it was obvious on Friday night that the majority of us in the crowd had become very well acquainted with that album.*

She's also become a better performer, her live show now rivaling her studio output.  I wanted to suggest to her, for instance, that the version of "The Crippled Jazzer" they'd used to cap off their set initially should be put out as a live track.  The audience had more or less soaked that up, the outro extended into a very arena-worthy percussive throw down.

But, even from a technical standpoint, the playing was tight.  Stern translates her signature guitar style on stage with fluidity and ease.  It seemed to almost require no concentration on her part, just the hours of studied dexterity she's applied to her instrument and the scrawl that had composed the evening's set list, which rested on the floor of the stage.  The writing was small enough that she had to keep bending over to read what the band was playing next.



Focused mostly on Chronicles, their set went as far back as This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That ("Transformer," "The Crippled Jazzer") and her 2010 self-titled album ("For Ash," "Transparency is the New Mystery" as the encore**).  Those were, of course, the songs I knew best, despite my relative familiarity with the new album.  Every song, though, sounded great and Stern, voice or not, had a radiance to her that could've been attributed to the following:

1). That she's now a fan of Dogfish Head's 90-minute IPA (you're very welcome).

2). That a break from traveling was on the horizon and some proper sleep was in her future.

3). That she was playing on stage in front of a very receptive and electrified crowd.  Honestly, I can't imagine that it gets much better than that.

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

* Side note: Every Marnie Stern release I own aside from In Advance of the Broken Arm and the Cap Pas Cap split has been purchased at a show.  I'd held off on picking up Chronicles thinking I'd score the vinyl at the merch table.  However, since it was the band's last night on tour, the vinyl had sold out.  I, instead, picked up the Dog Daze cassette.  This is yet another indication of Stern's rising popularity.

**Another side note: Following the encore, Wong had thrown his drumsticks into the crowd and they'd apparently come in contact with the face of a correspondent for XPN's The Key, who wrote all about it.

Win Seven Inches of Free ROKY!!! An offer from Tracking Force...

From Tracking Force:

Who wants a free unplayed copy of the limited edition (and OOP) RSD Roky Erickson "Mine Mine Mind" single? Everyone who LIKEs the Tracking Force Facebook page between now and midnight friday will be entered in a random drawing to win it. The only catch is that the winner must be a person who lives in the lower 48 states because of shipping.

So, enter for a free Erickson 7" and then peruse Tracking Force.  There are some enviable sides featured, really good stuff for collectors. 

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

Blow The Scene Hosting P.A.W.S. Benefit in June

Earsplit PR, the organization that has so generously provided me a wealth of music over the years, is sponsoring a Philadelphia-based event to benefit the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, also known as P.A.W.S., which is a no-kill animal shelter.  The music and arts festival is being co-hosted by the webzine, Blow The Scene. 

Please find event info below, which was brought to me courtesy of Earsplit PR.

Blow The Scene Hosts P.A.W.S. Benefit
Philly-Based Art Show & Music Festival Confirmed 

This June, Philadelphia-based music/arts webzine Blow The Scene is co-hosting a massive benefit drive including both an underground art show and killer music fest to aid in funding a no-kill animal shelter and rescue for P.A.W.S (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society).

Blow The Scene editor-in-chief Joshua T. Cohen and Richard Stockton College art professor Ryann Casey have teamed up to host both the Homeward Bounds Art Benefit Show as well as the first annual Blow The Scene Fest 2013: Artists For Animals, with Earsplit now the official sponsor of the two-part funds drive.

The Homeward Bounds Art Benefit Show portion features works by over 50 artists who have contributed mixed media pieces being sold for charity beginning TODAY, running through July 10th at Philadelphia vegan eatery and art gallery, Grindcore House. In addition to the art show, the volunteers are constructing an “adoption wall” that will chart the progress of the current animals up for adoption at P.A.W.S.

BLOW THE SCENE FEST 2013: Artists For Animals portion will take place on June 29th, 2013 at Philadelphia’s Broad Street Ministry, now with a confirmed lineup of motivated outfits including DROPDEAD, DEAD IN THE DIRT, IRON REAGAN, MASAKARI, HEARTLESS, BACKSLIDER, LESS LIFE and DYING. The gathering will also feature artist displays, non-profit information and tabling, monetary and physical item donations, information booths, and much more. Admission to the all-ages fest will be $15, or $10 with a donation of blankets or supplies for P.A.W.S.

100% of the proceeds from these fundraisers will go to P.A.W.S., and if you do not live in the area and plan on attending either Philly-based event donations can be made online now.

For full donation links and info on the Homeward Bounds Art Benefit Show, click HERE.

For more info on the Blow The Scene Fest 2013, click HERE.

http://blowthescene.com http://www.paws.org
http://www.earsplitcompound.com

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

Queens of the Stone Age: "I Sat By the Ocean" & "If I Had a Tail"

Yesterday, news of two new tracks from Queens of the Stone Age's upcoming new album, ...Like Clockwork, surfaced via Consequence of Sound.  "I Sat By the Ocean" and "If I Had a Tail" were both recorded live for a radio session in Belgium.

Being that there were six years of silence since the last QOTSA album, (Era Vulgaris, which was reviewed in 2007), and myself being an admitted fanboy, the likelihood of any commentary regarding ...Like Clockwork having any real objective clout or lack of bias is small.  That being said, this will probably be something I cover after the anticipatory glow of the album fades, leaving behind the true product from which to assess its worth. 

In the meantime, though, I'm enjoying the steady flow of singles that keep appearing, "My God is the Sun" and the recently released "I Appear Missing (Calling All Commas)."

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

Singles: Man Or Astroman?, Steve Gunn, Demon Lung, Reproacher

Man Or Astroman?: "Communication Breakdown, Pt. II" (via Force Field PR)




Steve Gunn: "Water Wheel" (via Enabler Agency)

Water Wheel


Demon Lung: "Eyes of Zamiel" (via CVLT Nation)

Eyes of Zamiel


Reproacher: "Casemate" (via Earsplit PR)



Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

Jeff Hanneman (1964-2013)

I remember, as a matriculating Catholic school student of maybe 11 or 12, looking at a full-page ad in some metal magazine (could've been Rip or Hit Parader) for Slayer's South Of Heaven and being simultaneously fascinated and mortified by its cover illustration.  The various goat heads mixed with swipes of blood and darkly hued chapels weren't necessarily as corrupting as they were wildly infused with otherworldly magic, depictions that contradicted the ideological deity I'd been praying to every Sunday.  Cut to a few years later, and I'm walking to my bus stop while blaring a cassette of Seasons in the Abyss I'd borrowed from a friend into my ears, hoping "War Ensemble" would end before I reached the landing and had to take off my headphones for the sake of conversation.  There were many days when I just wanted to funnel music into my brain and be left alone.
 

In my little suburb, late 80s-early 90s, it was crucial to reject our insular environment and try and form an identity that was at odds with everything around us.  Evil and/or aberrant imagery was attractive, especially in line with my Catholic upbringing and subsequent rebellion, and music had to reflect both an internal and external conflict in order to mean anything.  It's understandable why a band like Slayer would resonate so heavily with those of our ilk, their fascination with the occult and seeming disdain for authoritarian dogma, not to mention their sonic brutality and speed, relatable in many ways.  Slayer birthed musicians out of some of us and devoted fans out of the rest of us, so the recent passing of Jeff Hanneman was felt.



While I can't personally claim to have been anything other than a casual fan, far from the disciple some of my friends have been, I can still point to Seasons In The Abyss and South of Heaven as having had some impact on me growing up.  I can also state with no hesitation that, out of the original four horsemen, Slayer stayed focused on what they did well and remained successful without slowing down. 

Flashing the horns for eternity and grateful for years of aggression.

R.I.P., Jeff Hanneman.

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

What I Heard This Morning: Sandrider

Because METZ and Pissed Jeans can't have all the fun, here's a single from Sandrider's 2011 self-title debut, "Gorgon."  This track is brought to you in correlation with news of the band recording a new album slated for release later this year.  Details below were generously provided by wonderful folks over at Good To Die Records.

SANDRIDER enters the studio!

Seattle, WA's hard rock saviors, SANDRIDER (ex-Akimbo), enter the studio this weekend to record the hotly anticipated follow-up to their much praised 2011 self-titled debut. The band is again recording with Matt Bayles (Russian Circles, Ken Mode, Mastodon, Helms Alee) at Red Room Studio and a Late Fall / Early Winter release is expected via Good to Die Records.

More details, including album title, release date and regional touring plans will be announced soon. The band’s debut is currently available for streaming via their official Bandcamp page, and a pro-shot video of brand new song "Gorgon" can be viewed HERE.

This summer you can catch SANDRIDER on the Neumos stage at the Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle. Pre-sale tickets are available HERE.

To schedule an interview with the band or for any SANDRIDER related press inquiries please contact bob@goodtodierecords.com.

Sandrider on Bandcamp
Sandrider on Facebook
Sandrider on Twitter
Good to Die Records

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

Iron Tongue: "Lioness"

A bit of Southern-laced, slow rock to warm the blood — "Lioness," the latest single from Iron Tongue's upcoming LP, The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown, evokes the 70s hard rock spun by groups like Deep Purple and Cactus, though it's hard to discount the stoned rage of bands like Goatsnake and Sleep.  Really sweet bass tone.

All info comes courtesy of Earsplit PR.

IRON TONGUE Unleash Soulful Southern Jam "Lioness" Via Classic Rock

Arkansas southern rock rabble-rousers IRON TONGUE have unleashed another soulful hymn from their forthcoming album, The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown, which is set for release in North America via Neurot Recordings on May 28th.

One of the standouts of the record, “Lioness” draws listeners in from the opening stoney, groove-laden bass wizardy of Andy Warr and Stephanie Smittle's alluring backing vocals, before the ultra-bottom heavy guitars and Chris Terry's rugged, blues-stained vocals come forth and the track explodes into a mammoth rock jam.

Classic Rock are hosting "Lioness" on their website today, be sure to check it out at THIS LOCATION. 

Additionally, you can still check out “7 Days” via The Obelisk HERE.

Fronted by Chris “CT” Terry, the founding throat of sludge legion Rwake, IRON TONGUE formed when a group of veteran players with diverse musical backgrounds found a common interest in the need to get down and dirty and way, way gone. Featuring CT alongside guitarists Jason Tedford and Mark Chiaro, bassist Andy Warr, drummer Stan James, keyboardist JR Top and backing vocalist Stephanie Smittle, IRON TONGUE offer up a thick, soulful blend of girthy, heavy-amped, blues-based rock. IRON TONGUE aren’t singing of magical moonlit escapades. These are songs of true hurt, regret and despair reminiscent of everything from the proto-metal stomp of Blue Cheer and Grand Funk to the darkest hours of Kiss, Deep Purple, Buddy Guy and ‘Skynyrd.
The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown was produced by renowned audio sage Billy Anderson (Melvins, Sleep, Neurosis, etc) at IRON TONGUE guitarist Jason Tedford’s Wolfman Studios.

IRON TONGUE will bring the power of the riff to the stage with a handful of local shows beginning April 26 with additional dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

IRON TONGUE Live Dates:
5/06/2013 Downtown Music — Little Rock, AR w/ Order of the Owl, Enchiridon
5/12/2013 Private video shoot and live studio recording/cookout — Little Rock, AR (Contact C.T. on Facebook if you can’t stand not being there.)
5/28/2013 M.F. Music — Bryant, AR w/ J. Baker (*IRON TONGUE acoustic set)
5/31/2013 White Water Tavern – Little Rock, AR IRON TONGUE Record Release Show

“…a solid slab of balls to the wall shameless rock, with a power and an edge and soul that rarely exists in music today…” — Neurosis’ Steve Von Till

http://www.facebook.com/Irontongue
http://www.neurotrecordings.com
http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings 

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead