Golem Dance Cult – ‘Grotesque Radio’ (Self Release)

Golem Dance Cult – ‘Grotesque Radio’ (Self Release)

Intrigued to investigate further this EP from two (old) friends Charles Why (Losta Noise/Nexus/L-DOPA…) and Laur (Sparkling Bombs/Kevin K Band/Vague Scare/Other-ed…)  Its a great earworm as it crawls into your ear and enters your brain and takes up residence offering little snippets of bands you know you like and ones you know you don’t but the influences draw you in closer and you’ll definitely like what you hear.

Great name for a band as well and the album title is cool (pretty much every time I switch on the radio it’s pumping out Grotesque music) Anyway, the tunes. Apart from the opener being something of an introduction with native American chanting (which always give me the chills, I could listen to it all day) its ‘Capitol Blues’ that starts off the noise mashing up samples and a cool Jon Spenser Blues Explosion style riff over a drum loop its certainly very listenable and the louder the better the experience.   Pitched somewhere between Beck and Gary Numan and throwing in a whole heap of other influences this mashup is all over the place in a good way mixing some Urban Dance Squad with some horns and distorted guitars and some dance beats its certainly stretching your palet but succeeding in making you nod your head all in a good way.

‘Nosferatu Waltz’ is also out there pushing the boundaries of Gothic undertones as implied by the title it’s Daniel Ash and his old sparring partner Mr. Murphy dancing up some sisterhood.  Dark and mysterious but all very listenable for sure. On ‘Doppelganger’ there’s a big rolling riff on top of some sample coming on like some of Bowie’s work which must have been a bit of an inspiration here whilst the sound is heavy there is a lot going on but never too much.  It’s well constructed but has appeal and not too self-indulgent or unlistenable.  Again it’s a different texture to the other tracks with an air of spontaneity and a certain take it or leave it atmosphere.  Jump on board and get down with Golem Dance Cult it’s good stuff. LEaving only the video track we’ve included to close off the EP for your listening and viewing pleasures.  go to Bandcamp and check em out you really wont be dissapointed.

Buy it Here

Author: Dom Daley

Duncan Reid & The Big Heads get set to release live album

Duncan Reid & The Big Heads get set to release live album

On April 23rd Duncan Reid & The Big Heads release a live album via Bandcamp. The digital album features twelve of the finest power pop rock and roll you’re gonna hear anywhere.  Check out the trailer for a mouthwatering taste of what’s on offer and pre-order away! Here

 

“No one was meant to be there on 20 May 2018. Sweden were playing Switzerland in the Ice Hockey World final the night they played Akkurat in Stockholm. Yet, they packed in to see the band in the bar with more beers than anywhere else in the world. Listen and hear just how raw, energetic and good-looking we are. It will make you taller, more handsome, more intelligent and younger. All for £5!*”

 

Facebook / Website

*(not factually accurate)

Public Eye – ‘Music For Leisure’ (Drunken Sailor Records / Pop Wig Records)

Public Eye – ‘Music For Leisure’ (Drunken Sailor Records / Pop Wig Records)

Public Eye’s second album ‘Music For Leisure’. Written in the wake of the US presidential election in 2016, and surrounded by the sinister political voices that seemingly felt legitimised by Trump, it’s the sound of fury, Boredom, Alienation, exercised through repetitive solid basslines, raw guitar stabs that loop (‘Awful Questions’)  and a production that sounds cold at times and angular, sharp and isolated. Arty punk if you like videos that would be black and white and feature urban landscapes apartment blocks and concrete you know the drill.

Formed in Portland, Oregon in 2016, Public Eye’s membership takes in three-quarters of notorious punks Autistic Youth,  vocalist Nick Vicario delivers his words through a one-paced tone it remains melodic taking a leaf out of Joy Divisions Ian Curtis’ book (possibly) as he remains impassive throughout its tastefully melodic stuff.  There is a certain amount of metallic industrial Buzzcocks going on as well like the borrowed licks on ‘New Years’ which is totally early Shelley and Diggle.

The vibe might be one of worry about how the world is turning to shit due to all the right-wing nonsense we’re currently experiencing in countries around the globe and not just America which helps resonate these songs. It’s not a warm fuzzy record but a jarring jolt and they encapsulate that on the excellent ‘Lost Dog’. I guess they’re preaching to the converted here because I can’t imagine a Make America Great again trucker hat-wearing no to immigrants or let’s help the less fortunate is going to gravitate towards a record of this nature anyway.

It does soften and the mood isn’t always one of despair honest! ‘Neat Machine / Red Flag’ is a great mid-paced song with great arrangement and I love the bv’s and gang vocals on the chorus. If you want to escape the madness tracks like the lo-fi riffs of ‘The Fiend’ is basic and simple but that doesn’t take anything away from the energy it creates. Certainly, the second half of this record gets warmer if you know what I mean and the penultimate slab of black and white ‘The Duet’ is excellent with its rolling bassline taking centre stage before the headfuck whig out of the saxophone comes crashing in. It only leaves the decidedly frosty but strongest track on the record ‘You’re Being Laughed At’ to wrap this up all the best bits of this record all poured into one three and a half minute song.

If all else fails and we’re indeed heading to Hell in a handcart thanks to governments who only serve themselves then we’ve got a pretty decent mixtape for the trip and this would make the cut.

Bandcamp