MACHINE SONG(S).

Something a bit different this time, an early Eighties classic "pre-noise rock" record all the way from Christchurch, New Zealand…

The Gordons were a three-piece that melded bombastic sheets of noise with power & melody. Somewhat akin to a band like Gang of Four, but with a deeper element of energy, chaos & suspense.
I'd be surprised if you've never heard them / heard of them, but if not, here's a perfect opportunity to hear a timeless record that I - maybe even YOU - will find is an easy listen right next to anything else featured here on the L-RV...

The Gordons - The Gordons / Future Shock EP

SAMHAIN.

Offered up today for your internet leeching consumption is a collection of (studio) outtakes from Samhain's "Magnum Opus" album, November Coming Fire.

The mix is loud, unbalanced, and awesome.

Honestly?
I'm always a fan of the rough mix / demo stuff more often than not, and this one is far more fun for me to listen to than the final product.

Fuzzy/overdriven chorus guitarage, plodding "soggy" drums, buried keyboard melodies, lots of howls & shit like that… no spray-on hair or cat litter shopping frenzies yet…

Samhain - November Coming Fire (Outtakes)

Link in comments.

BEEFEATER.

Been quite a while since I last listened to this…

Bought this when it came out - out of print now, really Dischord? - and damn if it ain't a psychedelic weirdo hippie record that is PUNK as FUCK.

The lineup of this band just looks so wrong that it is absolutely right. The perfect melding of a bunch of dudes who don't fit the rules of the "School of Punk" (as far appearances & musical styles go), and this is why their material is (still to this day) is so unique.

This is a band you'll either love or hate, but in my honest opinion, Fred Smith is one of the most unsung hardcore guitarists ever. Imagine him in a band w/ the other Fred Smith (MC5) - crushing.

Light up, lights down, rock out, etc.

Beefeater - Plays For Lovers / House Burning Down

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TOILING MIDGETS.

"UNREST IS RIGHT"…

Probably one of the three hardest records I've ever tried to describe would be "Sea of Unrtest" by San Francisco's own Toiling Midgets.
At some points, it oozes some of the most blissful melody ever, but then the turn-around comes and you find yourself alone, desolate, naked, cold, ugly, and trembling in fear - yet it feels incredibly RIGHT - and the stark solace becomes your (best) frienemy.

Huh?

There's about a thousand fucking shitty bands that owe this band a paycheck or two, and while they'll never get the credit they deserve, I can rest assured knowing that I've done my part to help you fill in the blanks of (lost & under-appreciated) S.F. punk/hardcore/rock history.

Oh, and by the way, if you need a stiff drink or a cold beer, stop by the Lucky 13 bar in the Castro / S.F. - Craig (guiarist) pours the drinks there a few days a week. I'll see you there.

You can buy me a shot of Hornitos, bitch.

Toiling Midgets - Sea of Unrest.

Link in comments.

ICKY BOYFRIENDS.

There was never anything cool about these guys when they were around - do you even know who the fuck they are - probably not, unless you lived in S.F. in the Nineties & were into house parties, small shows at venues at warehouses, smoking speed, etc.

What the fuck happened to MY San Francisco?

The fucking bands that come out of here these days are so fucking ball-less / so fucking "not scary" / so fucking not original - of course there are a few exceptions - but for the most part, this town has become obsessed with sissy-haired white boys in women's jeans jumping about playing crappy pop-influenced BULLSHIT.

• Fuck your fixed-gear bike.


• Fuck your "weird beard".


• Fuck your coffee shop.


• Fuck your "skinny jeans".


• Fuck your "fully sleeved overnight" trendy tattoos.


• Fuck you fat "girlfriend" with the big sunglasses.

(The Icky Boyfriends were never appreciated when they were around - they still aren't - but they were fucking genius back in the days before the internet ruined everything that was cool. One of a kind band, really, but you won't get it)…





Watch the Icky Boyfriends' full-length movie
"I'M NOT FASCINATING"



Icky Boyfriends - A Love Obscene

Link in comments.