Shopping To Return Stateside For Fall North American Tour
In Support Of The Official Body, Out Now On FatCat Records
Playing Hopscotch, OctFest, Basilica Soundscape, And More
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Category: Post-punk
Fat Possum Records to remaster and re-release four classic X albums.
FAT POSSUM RECORDS TO RELEASE REMASTERED X ALBUMS IN 2018
‘LOS ANGELES’
‘WILD GIFT’
‘UNDER THE BIG BLACK SUN’
‘MORE FUN IN THE NEW WORLD’
Photo: Gary Leonard
Fat Possum Records and X are teaming up. Effective immediately, Fat Possum Records will begin distributing for the world four classic X albums; ‘Los Angeles’ (1980), ‘Wild Gift’ (1981), ‘Under The Big Black Sun’ (1982), and ‘More Fun In The New World’ (1983). There are plans to release remastered versions of all four albums by the end of 2018. More details to come.
Formed in 1977, X quickly established themselves as one of the best bands in the first wave of LA’s flourishing punk scene; becoming legendary leaders of a punk generation. Featuring vocalist Exene Cervenka, vocalist/bassist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom, and drummer DJ Bonebrake, their debut 45 was released on the seminal Dangerhouse label in 1978, followed by seven studio albums released from 1980-1993. Over the years, the band has released several critically acclaimed albums, topped the musical charts with regularity and performed their iconic hits on top television shows such as Letterman and American Bandstand. X’s first two studio albums, Los Angeles and Wild Gift are ranked by Rolling Stone among the top 500 greatest albums of all time. The band continues to tour with the original line-up fully intact. In 2017, the band celebrated their 40th year anniversary in music with a Grammy Museum exhibit opening, a Proclamation from the City of Los Angeles and being honored at a Los Angeles Dodgers game where Exene threw out the first pitch and John Doe sang the National Anthem. The band continues to tour with the original line-up and are currently on the road, including select dates with The Psychedelic Furs.
X Tour Itinerary:
July 25 SOMO Village Event Center – Rohnert Park, CA (w/The Psychedelic Furs)
July 27 Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts – Portland, OR (w/The Psychedelic Furs)
July 29 Woodland Park Zoo – Seattle, CA (w/The Psychedelic Furs)
July 31 The Rockwell/The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT (w/The Psychedelic Furs, The FIXX)
Aug 2 The Ogden – Denver, CO (w/The Psychedelic Furs)
Aug 17 The Cave – Big Bear, CA
Aug 18 Burton Chase Park – Marina Del Rey, CA
Aug 19 North Park – San Diego, CA
Aug 22 Marty’s -Tustin, CA
Aug 23 Marty’s – Tustin, CA
Aug 24 Weins Family Winery- Temecula, CA
Aug 31 Del Mar Hall – St. Louis, MO
Sept 2 Muddy Roots Music Festival – Cookeville, TN
Sept 3 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
Sept 4 The Cat’s Cradle – Chapel Hill, NC
Sept 5 The Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC
Sept 7 Sidetracks – Huntsville, AL
More Dates To Be Announced!
Los Angeles (1980)
1. Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not
2. Johnny Hit and Run Paulene
3. Soul Kitchen
4. Nausea
5. Sugarlight
6. Los Angeles
7. Sex and Dying in High Society
8. The Unheard Music
9. The World’s a Mess, It’s In My Kiss
Wild Gift (1981)
1. The Once Over Twice
2. We’re Desperate
3. Adult Books
4. Universal Corner
5. I’m Coming Over
6. It’s Who You Know
7. In This House That I Call Home
8. Some Other Time
9. White Girl
10. Beyond and Back
11. Back 2 the Base
12. When Our Love Passed Out On the Couch
13. Year 1
Under the Big Black Sun (1982)
1. The Hungry Wolf
2. Motel Room In My Bed
3. Riding With Mary
4. Come Back To Me
5. Under the Big Black Sun
6. Because I Do
7. Blue Spark
8. Dancing with Tears In My Eyes
9. Real Child of Hell
10. How I (Learned My Lesson)
11. The Have Nots
More Fun in the New World (1983)
1. The New World
2. We’re Having Much More Fun
3. True Love
4. Poor Girl
5. Make the Music Go Bang
6. Breathless
7. I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts
8. Devil Doll
9. Painting the Town Blue
10. Hot House
11. Drunk In My Past
12. I See Red
13. True Love Pt. #2
For more information on X live shows, please contact:
For Fat Possum/reissue press inquiries, please contact:
Keep your mind open.
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Pitchfork Music Festival Artist Spotlight: Melkbelly
Chicago noise-punk outfit Melkbelly are playing one of the earliest sets (1:45pm on Friday) at this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival in their hometown, and it would be well worth leaving work early to see them. Their fierce rock has an edge to it that will slap you out of your doldrums and fire you up for the rest of the festival. Their 2017 album Nothing Valley was one of the best of the year, and I’ve heard their live performances are game-changing. Don’t miss them.
Keep your mind open.
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Bodega – Endless Scroll
BODEGA‘s Endless Scroll is probably my favorite post-punk record of 2018 so far. Consisting of Nikki Belfiglio (vocals), Heather Elle (bass), Ben Hozie (guitar and vocals), Montana Simone (drums), and Madison Velding-Vandam (guitar), the quintet offering a sharp commentary on hipsters, the digital age, sex, masculinity, femininity, and politics.
No track better sums up their thoughts on the world of 2018 than the opener – “How Did This Happen!?” Aren’t we all asking that every day here in the U.S.? “It’s the world now, don’t discriminate. Everyone is equally a master and a slave,” Hozie sings. Preach it, brother. He name checks failing bookstores, people curating their playlists more than their relationships, and people angry for no damn reason. “Bodega Birth” shows off more of Elle’s slick bass lines as Hozie and Belfiglio sing about how the internet, which should be the greatest educational tool of all time, is now a colossally boring shopping mall.
Elle’s bass takes the lead on “Name Escape” as Hozie sings about how he can’t remember names of people he sees all the time, even though he can notice things like someone wearing different pants than the last time he saw him. Also, he doesn’t often care (“Have I heard the latest something ’bout so-and-so? / No, I have not, my son. Now I don’t want to know.”). Again, preach it, brother. “Boxes for the Move” is a story of heartbreak following a break-up as Hozie leaves his lover’s place with “fifteen soggy boxes” of stuff and wishing he had the booze that used to be in the boxes he got from the liquor store. “I Am Not a Cinephile” is a collective middle finger to movie snobs and other ultra-hipsters.
Hozie and Velding-Vandam’s squeaky guitars on “Can’t Knock the Hustle” sound like alarm klaxons or steel being hammered by a blacksmith. Belfiglio invites us all to love ourselves (if you get the drift) on “Gyrate” – even if you want to do it “in the middle of a party, in the middle of the floor.” “Jack in Titanic” is Hozie’s commentary about modern expectations of masculinity. It’s wonderfully catchy, and is currently tearing up airwaves in England. I’ve heard it on BBC 6 Music every time I listened to the station for the last three weeks. “Margot” is a tale of internet lust (ending with a computerized voice saying, “I touch myself while staring at your chat text box.”).
Elle and Simone are in perfect synch on “Bookmarks” while Hozie and Belfiglio sing about how easy it is to get distracted from work when the endless internet is in front of you. “Warhol” has the band proclaiming “Form against everything” and making fun of people thinking their fifteen minutes of fame is still in effect. “Charlie” is their latest single and a touching tribute to a friend of Hozie’s who drowned on New Year’s Eve 2007. “Williamsburg Bridge” sounds like a Velvet Underground track with Elle’s bass groove, Simone’s tribal drumming, and Hozie and Velding-Vandam’s guitars squawk in the background. “Truth Is Not Punishment” has Hozie singing about worrying about his mother and trying to convince a friend that honesty is the best policy (even when he’s not sure he believes that). The guitars in it build to near-manic levels, reflecting Hozie’s angst.
This is one of the best and catchiest albums of 2018 so far. I’m glad that post-punk is having a great revival, and bands like BODEGA are leading the charge.
Keep your mind open.
[Jack in Titanic subscribed. Why haven’t you?]
Japanese post-punkers CHAI to reissue debut album on Burger Records.
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Flasher releases new video and single – “Who’s Got Time?”
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Flasher – Constant Image
Opening with something that sounds like a song you’d hear on the tape deck of one of those Blade Runner flying cars, Flasher‘s debut full-length album, Constant Image, is strongly self-assured post-punk. That opening track, “Go,” encourages you to “suck it up” and get ready for a fast ride.
“Pressure” builds with its namesake until the chorus, and even then it doesn’t let up too much. Daniel Saperstein‘s bass seems like it’s all over the place, but he grounds the tune like metal stakes into circus tent loops. I like how Saperstein’s vocals blend with those of Emma Baker (drums) and Taylor Mulitz (guitar) on “Sun Come and Golden.” The whole track has a brightness to it, but it doesn’t ignore the shadows caused. “Material” raises the attitude of the record, as Mulitz’s vocals border on snotty punk and throw down the right amount of tongue-in-cheek sass.
Mulitz’s guitar buzzes like a green hornet on “XYZ.” It’s one of the hottest cuts on the record as Flasher sing about self-introspection and the expectations of their generation and the ones before and after them. As good as it is, “Who’s Got Time?” is even better. Saperstein unloads on it. It has a rough urgency and is yet highly danceable. “Skim Milk” was their first single, and it’s easy to hear why they chose it. Mulitz’s guitar is precise and fuzzy when it needs to be, Baker keeps time and thrashes when she needs to, and Saperstein keeps up his serial killing of bass grooves. Their triple vocals weave together well and it’s pretty much everything you want in a post-punk song.
There’s a neat piano riff underlining “Harsh Light” while Mulitz sings, “Every corner that you turn, you never learn.” Good grief, can’t we all relate to that at times? “Punching Up” has a bit of a punch-drunk beat to it, with Baker providing co-lead vocals and a Pixies-like rhythm. The Pixies influence is thick on the entire track with its back-and-forth bouncing between soothing guitars and heavy distortion. “Business Unusual” would be a great name for a TV show or comic book, but it’s instead about a “man, now a boy in blue, this whole world’s got it out for you.” It also throws in some saxophone (a welcome addition to any post-punk record) with the quirky guitars and the repeated question from Flasher – “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?”
It’s the last lyric of the album. Are they asking us to reflect and perhaps realize it isn’t that bad? Are they asking us to forgive ourselves? The name of the album is, after all, Constant Image. We all constantly project different images of ourselves, and often to cover up what we think are horrible flaws but are usually things about which no one cares. Most of the things we worry about never happen. Flasher want us to know this, I think. We should thank them for the reminder. You can do it by buying this record.
Keep your mind open.
[Who’s got time to subscribe. You do.]
BODEGA release sexy new single – “Gyrate” – and announce more summer tour dates.
BODEGA Shares New Single “Gyrate”
Watch The Video
Watch The Video
July/August North American Tour Announced
Endless Scroll Out July 6th On What’s Your Rupture?
BODEGA have unveiled another new single, “Gyrate,” from their forthcoming debut album, Endless Scroll, coming out July 6th on What’s Your Rupture?. Nikki Belfiglio from the band said of the song, “When I was a little girl I used to masturbate in public (once at a JC Penny perfume counter). My parents, not wishing to shame me told me I shouldn’t ‘gyrate’ in front of other people. My song uses the language of Top 40 pop to celebrate self-sustainability and female pleasure.” Note the lyrics, “In the middle of a party. In the middle of the floor. You can get it all out right now. Wiggle your ass around. Feel the vibes coming up through your toes. Let it all go. You must have to gyrate it,” sings Nikki who also directed the accompanying video.
Watch BODEGA”s “Gyrate” Video”
https://youtu.be/Pyr-gS3LCCA
https://youtu.be/Pyr-gS3LCCA
Limited physical copies of Endless Scroll will be available at BODEGA’s Sunnyvale show in Brooklyn this Friday, June 1st, and throughout their June U.S. dates while supplies last. Following another European run in July, BODEGA will tour North America throughout July and August. This summer marks the first time BODEGA will play many of these cities. A full list of dates is below.
Watch:
“Gyrate” video – https://youtu.be/Pyr-gS3LCCA
“Jack In Titanic” video – https://youtu.be/2PmC3y-ktBM
“Can’t Knock The Hustle” video – https://youtu.be/sm5fWJDJicI
“How Did This Happen ?!” video – https://youtu.be/TKAzK41-YHM
“Gyrate” video – https://youtu.be/Pyr-gS3LCCA
“Jack In Titanic” video – https://youtu.be/2PmC3y-ktBM
“Can’t Knock The Hustle” video – https://youtu.be/sm5fWJDJicI
“How Did This Happen ?!” video – https://youtu.be/TKAzK41-YHM
BODEGA Tour Dates (new dates in bold):
Fri. June 1 – Brooklyn, NY @ Sunnyvale
Sat. June 16 – Toronto, ON @ The Rivoli
Fri. June 1 – Brooklyn, NY @ Sunnyvale
Sat. June 16 – Toronto, ON @ The Rivoli
Sun. June 17 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
Mon. June 18 – Detroit, MI @ Marble Bar
Tue. June 19 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Thu. June 21 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt
Fri. June 22 – Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
Sat. June 23 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot
Sun. June 24 – Iowa City, IA @ The Mill
Mon. June 25 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
TUe. June 26 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Cactus Club
Mon. June 18 – Detroit, MI @ Marble Bar
Tue. June 19 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Thu. June 21 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt
Fri. June 22 – Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
Sat. June 23 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot
Sun. June 24 – Iowa City, IA @ The Mill
Mon. June 25 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
TUe. June 26 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Cactus Club
Wed. June 27 – Columbus, OH @ Used Kids Records
Thu. June 28 – Athens, OH @ The Union
Fri. June 29 – Washington, DC @ DC9
Sat. June 30 – Philadelphia, PA @ Everybody Hits
Tue. July 10 – Manchester, UK @ Soup Kitchen (tickets)
Wed. July 11 – Birmingham, UK @ The Sunflower Lounge (tickets)
Fri. July 13 – Beccles, UK @ Latitude Festival (tickets)
Mon. July 16 – Nijmegen, NL @ Valkhof Festival (tickets)
Thu. July 19 – Port Grimaud, FR @ Plage de Rock w/ Parquet Courts
Sat. July 21 – Benicassim, ES @ Benicassim Festival (tickets)
Thu. June 28 – Athens, OH @ The Union
Fri. June 29 – Washington, DC @ DC9
Sat. June 30 – Philadelphia, PA @ Everybody Hits
Tue. July 10 – Manchester, UK @ Soup Kitchen (tickets)
Wed. July 11 – Birmingham, UK @ The Sunflower Lounge (tickets)
Fri. July 13 – Beccles, UK @ Latitude Festival (tickets)
Mon. July 16 – Nijmegen, NL @ Valkhof Festival (tickets)
Thu. July 19 – Port Grimaud, FR @ Plage de Rock w/ Parquet Courts
Sat. July 21 – Benicassim, ES @ Benicassim Festival (tickets)
Sun. July 29 – Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
Mon. July 30 – Durham, NC @ Pinhook
Tue. July 31 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Wed. Aug. 1 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa
Fri. Aug. 3 – Fort Worth, TX @ MASS
Sat. Aug. 4 – Austin, TX @ Austin
Tue. Aug. 7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Wed. Aug. 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ Moroccan Lounge
Fri. Aug. 10 – San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern
Sun. Aug. 12 – Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar
Mon. Aug. 13 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Tue. Aug. 14 – Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret
Mon. July 30 – Durham, NC @ Pinhook
Tue. July 31 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Wed. Aug. 1 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa
Fri. Aug. 3 – Fort Worth, TX @ MASS
Sat. Aug. 4 – Austin, TX @ Austin
Tue. Aug. 7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Wed. Aug. 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ Moroccan Lounge
Fri. Aug. 10 – San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern
Sun. Aug. 12 – Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar
Mon. Aug. 13 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Tue. Aug. 14 – Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret
[Endless Scroll artwork]
Pre-order Endless Scroll:
Bandcamp – https://bodegabk.bandcamp.
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/
iTunes – http://itunes.apple.com/album/
Apple Music – http://itunes.apple.com/album/
BODEGA online:
https://www.instagram.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
https://bodegabk.bandcamp.com/
http://bodeganyc.tumblr.com/
Bandcamp – https://bodegabk.bandcamp.
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/
iTunes – http://itunes.apple.com/album/
Apple Music – http://itunes.apple.com/album/
BODEGA online:
https://www.instagram.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
https://bodegabk.bandcamp.com/
http://bodeganyc.tumblr.com/
Keep your mind open.
[Wiggle over to the subscription box and drop me your e-mail address.]
Flasher release new single, “Who’s Got Time?,” ahead of summer tour dates.
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Deeper release peppy new single – “Feels” – ahead of May tour.
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