Revolver Staff Picks For 2009

REVOLVER STAFF 2009 BEST-OF LISTS

Thurston Graham, Revolver Digital
o 13th Chime "Singles 1981 - 1983" LP Sacred Bones
o Shrinebuilder "S/T" 2xLP+DO/CD Neurot Recordings
o Melt Banana "Lite Live: Ver.0.0" CD AZap
o V/A "La Bamba" LP Ultra Eczema
o Units "History of the Units" CD Community Library
o Blues Control "Local Flavor" LP/CD Siltbreeze
o BUFMS "Induced Musical Spasticity" 4xLP + CD BUFMS
o The Mantles "S/T" LP Siltbreeze
o Flower-Corsano Duo "Four Aims" CD/2xLP VHF
o Tropa Macaca "Sensacao Do Principio" LP Siltbreeze


Jerry, Accounts Receiving
1) vee dee - public mental health system - Beautiful in a way only a band from Chicago could be: Loud, big-boned and slightly out of fashion.
2) vee dee - public mental health system - see no. 1
3) thee oh sees - help
4) Mayyors - Deads EP
5) yoga - megafauna
6) Black Boned Angel - Endless Coming Into Life: Like a day at the beach - what could be better.
7) Meth Teeth - Everything Went Wrong
8) Dan Melchior - Terrible Shame 7" - The (former) fourteenth street curmudgeon sheds his medway muse in fine fashion.
9) Roman Soldiers - S/T 7"
10) Doronco Gumo - Old Punks


Matthew G Lammikins, Sales
1. SOCIALIST LEISURE PARTY "Tactical Pop For Coffee Cadets" CD+7" (Shelflife) - Amazing & timeless pop songs from ex-ACTION PAINTING guys that could have come from the late 80s, 90s, or 2000s...
2. EAT SKULL "Wild & Inside" LP/CD (Siltbreeze) - As the songs get catchier, the vocals get more atonal. Perfect combination.
3. HOME BLITZ "Going Out of Phase" CD (Richie) - Overdubbing super clean Lets Active-style 80s power pop guitar leads over scrappy Half Japanese-style slop-pop sounds like a terrible idea but it works.
4. DORONCO GUMO "Old Punks" LP (Holy Mountain) - Maybe the most 'pop' thing you've heard from any of those involved, but there's nothing straight about it. Falls apart as it comes together like a Japanese Mekons.
5. COLOSSAL YES "Acapulco Roughs" LP/CD (Ba Da Bing!) - Self-imposed cult figure continues to write great songs as he explores a genre occupied only by himself.
6. PAPERCUTS "You Can Have What You Want" LP/CD (Gnomonsong) - With insane obsession to detail, this third Papercuts album quietly blows away the second album, just like the second blew away the first.
7. DUCKTAILS s/t LP/CD (Not Not Fun) - Hey, sometimes home noodling IS worth sharing with others.
8. BLUES CONTROL "Local Flavor" LP/CD (Siltbreeze) - There's much shit going on over the course of this record that it never ceases to stay interesting, but also never irritates like other genre-hoppers...
9. SMITH WESTERNS s/t LP/CD - Songs so good I'll give them a pass on the T. Rex thing.
10. UV RACE s/t LP - A more brilliant/more dumb Eddy Current? 'Porn Orphanage' gets the award for best song title this year.
10.5 GET BACK GUINOZZI! "Carpet Madness" CD - I balked at the 'Police & Thieves' cover the first few times but now I even like that track. Total sleeper. This is what I wished Bjork sounded like.
Also, great singles from FERGUS & GERONIMO (all), CRYSTAL STILTS (Slumberland), SEXY KIDS (Slumberland), SHACKLES (Sweet Rot), SONIC CHICKEN 4 (Trouble In Mind), NICE FACE (Sacred Bones), UV RACE (S-S), WOVEN BONES (Sweet Rot), AVI BUFFALO (Sub Pop)
Great reissues/comps: BILL FOX (Scat), AXEMEN (Siltbreeze), SO COW (Tic Tac Totally), 39 CLOCKS (Bureau B), EASTER MONKEYS (Smog Veil)
Honorable Mention (I'll save space by just listing the artists): Great albums also from Night Control, Bill Callahan, Christmas Island, Kid Congo, Ganglians , Sonny & the Sunsets, Bachelorette, Audacity, Brilliant Colors, Rusted Shut, Les Cox Sportifs, Animal Collective, Thomas Function, Atlas Sound, Oh Sees, Reigning Sound, Fresh & Onlys


Dave, Sales
1. DAM FUNK "Toeachizown" 2xCD (Stones Throw) - get lost in a funky maze of analog
2. MOUNT EERIE "Wind's Poem" CD/2xLP (P.W. Elverum & Sun) - brutal & tender, like werewolf meat maybe?
3. ONEIDA "Rated O" 3xCD/3xLP (Jagjaguwar) - get lost in a proggy jam sesh
4. MANTLES s/t LP (Siltbreeze) - I like this because he makes funny rhymes and has curly hair
5. JAMES FERRARO "Clear" & "Discovery" LPs (Holy Mountain) - sounds great on both speeds
6. LITTLE CLAW "Human Taste" LP (Not Not Fun) - i think Yeti said it best, "used to be good, but now they're THIS good!"
7. GANG GANG DANCE "Saint Dymphna" CD/LP (Social Registry) - i'm a sucker for GGD and this one doesn't disappoint
8. TALK NORMAL "Sugarland" CD/LP (Rare Book Room) - punishing pop maybe? solid.
9. MASSHYSTERI "Var Del Av Stan" CD/LP (Feral Ward) - ridiculously accessible swedish punk. also solid.
10. TROPA MACACA "Sensacao Do Principio" LP (Siltbreeze) - get lost in an 8-bit brazilian casino
Best Re-issue - SERGE GAINSBOURG "Histoire de Melody Nelson" CD/LP (Light in the Attic) - safe choice in a year of really excellent reissues but just too good to deny
Best single - SIC ALPS "L Mansion" 7" (Slumberland) - slightly less obvious choice but again, too good to deny


Andrew Murphy, Receiving
1. celine dion 'mort aux vaches' CD - the most amazing band on planet earth. 'like a freight train that can't be stopped' -gary held
2. work/piles split LP - ex 16 bitch pile up & ex numbers do good. also, part-time members of celine dion.
3. high castle 'you're on your own way' LP - angular rockin' rock. features 2 part-time members of celine dion.
4. dadfag 'scenic abuse' CD/LP - screeching girl vocals & super fun live. drummer is a future part-time celine dion member.
5. bronze s/t 10" - my favorite SF band. played 2 shows with celine dion in 2009.
6. long legged woman 'nobody knows…' LP - solid debut & final album from these GA transplants. once featured celine dion as members.
7. seven lies about girls/ al qaeda split cassette - live recordings from 2 SF noisemakers. 7LAG now features dave from celine dion on drums!
8. brilliant colors 'introducing' CD/LP - 'better than grass widow' - ken. also features future part-time celine dion member.
9. mantles s/t LP - nice rock album from a band that once played a show with celine dion.
10. andrew douglas rothbard 'exodusarabesque' download only - super-duper trippy pop-esque gems from ex Pleasure Forever frontman &
hopeful future Celine Dion collaborator


Jacy, Warehouse
Alot of really killer shit came out this year. These are a few of my favorites in no particular order:
1. V.A. - "Michigan" 6LP boxset (RRR / Chondritic / Hanson) - A great sampler of Michigan's amazing noise scene.
2. V.A. - "D;O;UXF?" CD (Teen Action Records) - Admittedly, I curated this, but I still listen to it all the time. So good.
3. M. Morley, My Cat Is An Alien, R. Ponzini, L. Renaldo - "Live @ Sensational Fix" LP (Starlight Furniture) - Incredible. I wish I'd been there.
4. Bobby Beausoleil - "Lucifer Rising Suite" 4LP boxset (Ajna Offensive) - Beautiful pressing of a psychedelic masterpiece.
5. Cave Bears - "Live @ The Whiskey 1977" CS (Scotch Tapes) - Cave Bears eat Germs, shit brilliance.
6. Mayyors - "Deads EP" 12" (Self Released) - I can't sit still when I hear this, it fucking rocks.
7. Megasus - "S/T" CD (20 Buck Spin) - This is what stoner metal should be.
8. Nurse With Wound - "Spiral Insana" CD (United Jnana) - Just one of many great NWW reissues last year.
9. Limosine - "S/T" CD (Self Released) - Like shrooming with Sabbath in a cardboard forest. Not as intense as live experience, but pretty killer…
10. Sparks - "The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman" LP (Little Beethoven) - Sparks do a narrative piece about Ingmar Bergman in Hollywood. What's not to love?


Cristian, Revolver Digital
1. FUCK BUTTONS "Tarot Sport" LP/CD/DL (ATP)
2. PAUL WHITE "The Strange Dreams of Paul White" CD/DL (One Handed)
3. V/A "Psych Funk 101" 2LP/CD (World Psychedelic Funk Classics)
4. MOUNT KIMBIE "Maybes" 12"/DL (Hotflush)
5. MAGIK KIDS "Hey Boy" 7"/DL (Goner)
6. DARK DARK DARK "Remixes" 7"/DL (Supply & Demand)
7. FERGUS & GERONIMO "Blind Muslim Girl" 7"/DL (Tic Tac Totally)
8. THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART "Higher Than The Stars" CD/7"/2x12"/DL (Slumberland)
9. JACK ROSE & THE BLACK TWIG PICKERS "S/t" CD/DL (VHF)
10. MICHAEL HURLEY "Ida Con Snock" LP/CD/DL (Gnomonsong)

Best moment of 2009: Serbia 5 Romania 0


Mike Toppe, General Manager
1. WHY? "Alopecia" LP/CD (Anticon)
2. Richard Swift "Atlantic Ocean" (Secretly Canadian)
3. Blues Control "Local Flavor" (Siltbreeze)
4. Bachelorette "My Electric Family" (Drag City)
5. Theoretical Girl "Divided" (Memphis Industries)
6. Papercuts "You Can Have What You Want" (album) & "White Are The Waves" (7")
7. Wooden Shjips "Dos" (Holy Mountain)
8. Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds "Dracula Boots" (In The Red)
9. Bill Fox "Shelter >From The Smoke" (Scat)
10. Pillow Talk "Downtown Unga Wunga" 7" (Columbus Discount)


Jesse, Warehouse & Invoicing
1. SISSY SPACEK "Fortune b/w The Eyes of Men" 7" (Gilgongo) - Strange to have a 7" as your #1 of the year, but there are 26 tracks on it, so I count it as a full length. Plus it makes me really happy whenever I hear it.
2. ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER "Rifts" CD (No Fun)
3. BLANK DOGS "Under and Under" LP (In The Red)
4. GRASS WIDOW "s/t" LP (Make A Mess) & "s/t" EP (Captured Tracks)
5. BRILLIANT COLORS "Introducing Brilliant Colors" CD/LP (Slumberland)
6. BERT JANSCH "L.A. Turnaround" LP (Drag City) - Reissue of the 1974 album which comes with a great unreleased short film made at the time of the recording.
7. OVENS "s/t" CD (tULMULt)
8. EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING "s/t" CD/LP (Goner)
9. THE HUNCHES "Exit Dreams" CD/LP (In The Red)
10. EDWARD WILLIAMS "Life On Earth: Music From the 1979 BBC TV Series" CD (Trunk)


Uli Elser, Sales, Export Sales, Exclusive Label Relations
1. Yppah * They Know What Ghost Know (Ninja Tune)
2. Mochipet * Bunnies & Muffins (Daly City)
3. The Joy Formidable * A Balloon Called Moaning (Pure Groove)
4. DJ /Rupture and Matt Shadetek * Solar Life Raft (Agriculture)
5. Wye Oak * The Knot (Sub Pop)
6. Spider Bags * Goodbye Cruel World, Hello Crueler World (Birdman)
7. Kevin Blechdom * Gentlemania (Sonig)
8. Hex Dispensers * Winchester Mystery House (Douchemaster)
9. Summer Cats *Songs For Tuesdays (Slumberland)
10. Fredrik * Na Na Ni (Kora)
Honorable Mention:
James Blackshaw * The Glass Bead Game (Young God)
Smith Westerns * Smith Westerns (Horizontal Action)
Washed Out * Life of Leisure - EP (Mexican Summer)


Chris Hubbard, Layout & Stuff
* ONNA s/t CD (Holy Mountain)
* BRILLIANT COLORS "Introducing" LP (Slumberland)
* GUN OUTFIT "Dim Light" 12" (PPM)
* RUSTED SHUT "Dead" LP (Load)
* THE BATS "Don't You Rise" 7" (Slumberland)
* THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART s/t LP (Slumberland)
* NEEDLES "Desastre" 7" (Lengua Armada)
* EASTER MONKEYS "Splendor of Sorrow" CD+DVD (Smog Veil)
* CARTER FAMILY "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes" LP (Monk)
* COCK SPARRER live at the Great American Music Hall


Potsie "Utrillo" Belcher, Marketing Corndog
1. Lazarus Trickster LP (St. Ives)
2. Doronco Gumo Old Punks LP (Holy Mountain)
3. Purling Hiss Purling Hiss LP (Permanent)
4. Destroyer Bay Of Pigs 12" (Merge)
5. Mantles S/t LP (Siltbreeze)
6. Kurt Vile Childish Prodigy CD (Matador)
7. Jamie Vex'd In System Travel 12" (Planet Mu)
8. Blues Control Local Flavor LP (Slitbreeze)
9. Joseph Mattson & Six Organs Of Admittance Empty The Sun LP+Book (Barnacle)
10. Ghost live at the Independent, San Francisco CA. 4/28/09


Mike Doyle, Sales
Blues Control "Local Flavor" LP (Siltbreeze)
Eddy Current Suppression Ring s/t LP re-issue (Goner)
Strange Boys "...And Girls Club" LP (In The Red)
Papercuts "You Can Have What You Want" LP (Gnomonsong)
Mantles s/t LP (Siltbreeze)
Crystal Stilts "Love Is A Wave" 7" (Slumberland)
Smith Westerns s/t LP (Horizontal Action)
v/a "Ghana Special" 5xLP box (Soundway)
Clientele "Bonfires on the Heath" LP (Merge)
Sun Araw "Heavy Deeds" 12" (Not Not Fun)

Ox Heart Appetizer at St. John Restaurant, London
The Brentwoods reunion at Budget Rock!

Honorable Mentions:
Reigning Sound "Love and Curses" LP (In The Red)
Fred Bigot "Mono / Stereo" CD (Holy Mountain/Tlon Uqbar)
Dam Funk "Burgundy City" 12" (Stones Throw)
Ducktails "Landscapes" LP (Olde English Spelling Bee)
James Ferraro "Clear" & "Discovery" LPs (Holy Mountain)
Fergus & Geronimo "Blind Muslim Girl" 7" (Tic Tac Totally)
Crime in Choir "Gift Givers" CD (Kill Shaman)

Other Re-issues / Old Stuff

Sic Alps "Long Way Around to a Short Cut" LP (Drag City)
Units "History of the Units" CD (Community Library)
Little Ann "Deep Shadows" (Timmion)
Quick "Mondo Deco" LP re-issue (Radio Heartbeat)
39 Clocks "Pain It Dark" CD re-issue (Bureau B)
Warpig s/t LP re-issue (Kreation)
v/a "Rocky Mountain Low" 2xLP+CD (Hypercynical)
13th Chime "Singles 1981-1983" LP (Sacred Bones)

Come Hang Out With Jello Biafra.

Photo by Elizabeth Sloan

Jello Biafra will be holding court at Singles Going Steady Records (2219 2nd Ave.) in Seattle on Dec. 30th. This is your chance to meet the man and get your old & new Alternative Tentacles records signed. Things should get underway at 5:00 PM. New years salutations encouraged, trying to get non-AT Dead Kennedys records singed is not recommended. Have fun.

Landscape With Terry Riley.

Get comfortable and enjoy a 106 minute Terry Riley documentary filmed in the late '80ies on Riley's farm. Footage includes goat milking, a lengthy interview and a musical performance of "Shri Camel: Morning Corona" shot in the framework of a cabin under construction. Watch the movie or stream audio of the interview or the music HERE.

W. Shjips Decade's Best According To J. Cocker.

Myth-maker, snappy dresser and the king of music quality control, Jarvis Cocker, listed Wooden Shjips S/t as one of the decade's best 25 albums in Rolling Stone. JC's best song list along with tons of other rock celebrities' lists can be viewed HERE.

Venetian Snares on "So You Think You Can Dance"!

Ellenore dancing her ass off to the Venetian Snares song "Hajnal" (from 'Rossz Csillag Allat Született') on the 12/9/09 episode of the TV series/talent show "So You Think You Can Dance" (US). So totally awesome!

Podcast #19 Is A Wiener.....I Mean Winner!

In Podcast #19 Captain Uli and the Pots-dawg delve into somewhat newish (still playing the catch up game) Revolver Exclusives: Pylon, Shrinebuilder, Yoga, A Hawk & A Hacksaw, Damon & Naomi, Boxcutter, Bricolage, Witch Hunt, James Blackshaw, Buffalo Stance, Anathallo, and Blank Dogs. You can stream or download an AAC file of this podcast and all other Revolver podcasts at the Revolver pod-page: http://www.midheaven.com/audio/podcast/

It also appears in the free downloads page on the newly improved Midheaven Mailorder site.

For those who track podcast updates using RSS readers, here's our feed: http://www.midheaven.com/audio/podcast/podcast.xml

On iTunes, you can find our podcast at: itpc://http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=281174094

Remembering Jack Rose

"He had fans around the world and everyone should know about Jack and his music. His style is like no other."

Nobunny's Dirty Underwear In Spin.

Nobunny's double page spread for SPIN. New release via Goner coming summer 2010.

Krallice & Liturgy Live Photos!

(Does that bass have five strings?)

Brooklyn Vegan posted a show review and some great photos of Liturgy and Krallice from their Union Pool show last Friday. Check'em HERE.

Grab A Pillow And Get Minimal With Terry Riley.

Photos from Terry Riley's “Pipe Dreams" solo grand piano performance at Berkeley Art Museum November 6th 2009. Photos by Mike Doyle.

A Non-Digital Cioppino.

Cristian Ceia of the Revolver digital dept. enjoys a fine Cioppion lunch (11/06/09).

Mantles, Finches, Little Wings Flyer.

The Man, The Myth, The Katznelson.

DAVE KATZNELSON! One of the founding members of the San Francisco Appreciation Society, the industry vet responsible for 'tis many a free drink and the man behind such prestigious record labels as Birdman Records, Sepia Tone Records, Tornado Records, Tariff Records, BRG, and many more you've never heard of or that are soon to come into existence.

Krallice In So Many Words.

A few choice words pulled from the Dimensional Bleedthrough onesheet that put Krallice's latest 77-minute album into prospective. Dimensional Bleedthrough streets next Tues. 11/10/09.

Guitar Wizards - Guitar Gymnastics - Surpassed - Intensity - Transcendental - Epic - Surging - Melancholic - Progressive - Blackened Shroud - Pummels - Submission - Overwhelming Musicality - Skill - Solidify - Important - Black Metal.

Revolver Happy Hour.

Revolverites Heart Beer.

Revolver Podcast #18

Somehow Revolver Podcast #18 (from waaay back in August) was overlooked. In this session Uli single handedly tackles 17 releases in 25 minutes! A crash course in: Kevin Blechdom, Capracara, Distance, Eat Skull, Fire On Fire, Juan Maclean, Papercuts, Altar Of Plagues, Amesoeurs, Harvestman, Chord, Mia Doi Todd, Oh Sees, Themselves, Wooden Shjips, Remano Eszildn, and Venetian Snares. You can stream or download an AAC file of this podcast and all other Revolver podcasts at the Revolver pod-page: http://www.midheaven.com/audio/podcast/

For those who track podcast updates using RSS readers, here's our feed: http://www.midheaven.com/audio/podcast/podcast.xml

On iTunes, you can find our podcast at: itpc://http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=281174094

The Goner Dudes Peruse The Revolver Aisles.

Indie Rock Journalism & Boston Spaceships.

A couple press quotes for the Boston Spaceships' latest contribution to the world Zero to 99.

"It is somehow 2009, five years on from the dissolution of lo-fi heroes Guided by Voices and at least 10 since the agreed-upon peak of his powers, and Bob Pollard's making some of the best music of his life. Three albums deep into the Boston Spaceships and the prolific songwriter is on a tear to rival a few of his best-ever runs." - Pitchfork

"When we got an advance copy this summer of the excellent new Boston Spaceships album, Zero To 99 (out next week on GBV Inc.), we were immediately floored by track two, 'How Wrong You Are,' possibly the best song Robert Pollard has recorded since the demise of Guided By Voices." - Magnet

New Slumberland Singles & Shorty The Dog.

New Slumberland singles are here: Frankie Rose Thee Only One, Greg Webster Promised Land, The Pains OF Being Pure At Heart Higher Than The Stars & Bats Don’t You Rise. Some records are on lucky colored vinyl others on straight up black.

Best Gonerfest Ever.

Trailer for upcoming Gonerfest 4 DVD plus audio CD (street date 11/24).



Featuring:
Jay Reatard * Ooga Boogas * Greg Cratwright * Mr. Airplane Man * Lover! * Headache City * Evil Army * CoCoComa * Perfect Fits * Carbonas * Marked Men * Black Rose Band * Mr. Quintron & Miss Pussycat* Top Ten * Goodnight Loving * Eddy Current Suppression Ring * Boston Chinks * Busy Signals * Digital Leather * Menthols * King Louie One Man Band * Staags * Final Solutions * Hank IV * Hipshakes * Okmoniks * Gentlemen Jessie * Donny Denim * Vending Machine * Jeff Evans & Ross Johnson * Barbaras * Arch Rivals Hex Dispensers * Tyler Keith & the Preachers Kids * Digger & the Pussycats * Tokyo Electron * Head * Tuff Bananas

Blues Control Tour - The Whole Enchilada.

10/10 - Oberlin OH - THE 'SCO w/ Kurt Vile, Puffy Areolas

10/11 - Ypsilanti MI - DREAMLAND w/ Tyvek
10/12 - Princeton NJ - WPRB - in-studio 3pm EST
10/16 - Philadelphia PA - PILAM w/ Watery Love, Puerto Rico Flowers
10/18 - New Haven CT - BAR
10/19 - Ithaca NY - THE SHOP
10/20 - Scranton PA - THE BOG
10/21 - Pittsburgh PA - GARFIELD ARTWORKS w/ Puffy Areolas, Centipede Eest
10/22 - Cincinnati OH - ART DAMAGE LODGE w/ Wild Gunmen, Puffy Areolas
10/23 - Louisville KY - LISA'S OAK STREET LOUNGE w/ Sapat, Raw Thug
10/24 - Chicago IL - EMPTY BOTTLE - early show w/ Ga'an, Axis:sovA
10/25 - Madison WI - GOOD STYLE SHOP
10/26 - St Paul MN - TURF CLUB w/ Chinese Stars
10/27 - Kansas City MO - RECORD BAR
10/29 - Salt Lake City UT - KILBY COURT - early show
10/29 - Salt Lake City UT - URBAN LOUNGE - late show
10/30 - Boise ID - NEUROLUX
10/31 - Olympia WA - THE NORTHERN - Halloween w/ Little Claw, Tyvek, Christmas
11/1 - Seattle WA - FUNHOUSE w/ Little Claw
11/2 - Vancouver BC - LITTLE MOUNTAIN STUDIOS
11/3 - Portland OR - SOMEDAY LOUNGE
11/5 - San Francisco CA - HEMLOCK TAVERN w/ Hank IV, Celine Dion 2013
11/6 - Oakland CA - CONTINENTAL CLUB w/ Sic Alps, Jaws
11/7 - Sacramento CA - LUIGI'S SLICE w/ The Duchess and the Duke, Greg Ashley
11/8 - Santa Cruz CA - CREPE PLACE w/ Lucky Dragons, Javelin
11/9 - San Luis Obispo CA - CROSSROADS
11/10 - Irvine CA - UC IRVINE w/ Pocahaunted
11/11 - Los Angeles CA - SYNCHRONICITY w/ Pocahaunted
11/12 - San Diego CA - SODA BAR w/ Spirit Photography
11/13 - Phoenix AZ - TRUNK SPACE
11/16 - Denton TX - J&J'S PIZZA w/ Fungi Girls, Darktown Strutters, Silver Shampoo
11/17 - Austin TX - THE MOHAWK
11/18 - Houston TX - MANGO'S w/ The Wiggins
11/19 - New Orleans LA - ALLWAYS LOUNGE
11/21 - Nashville TN - DINO'S w/ The Cherry Blossoms, Ttotals
11/22 - Asheville NC - HARVEST RECORDS
11/23 - Chapel Hill NC - NIGHTLIGHT

Criminal Records ITR Sign.

Words of wisdom from Criminal Records, Atlanta GA.

Mantles All Up In The Flavorpill Mix.

Sandwiched between some guy named Thom Yorke and some band called Dead Man's Bones the Mantles' "Don't Lie" is featured in Flavorpill's latest mixtape. Download the track and others HERE.

The Mantles will be celebrating the release of their new self-title full length LP at the Eagle Tavern (398 12th St) tonight. Stop by if you happen to be "cruising" Folsom street in San Francisco.

Publish Post

Revolver Bands On Tour October 1st 2009.

New dates from new Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School Of Medicine, Black Elk, Crystal Stilts, Damon & Naomi, Daliva 666, Larkin Grimm, Hank IV, Intelligence, Mantles, Melt Banana, Mumlers, MV & EE, Pants Yell!, Papercuts, Rio En Medio, Sic Alps, Vetiver, Vivian Girls, Witch Hunt, Wooden Shjips, and much more on the tour page of recently re-designed & ultra improved Midheaven Mail Order site. Click HERE for the full ride.

Rough Trade Likes Magic.

Known for their finer tastes the Rough Trade Shop in London gives a warm welcome to the new Magic Kids Hey Boy single on Goner. In their Sept. 9th review they refer to "Hey Boy" as "Song of the summer? more like song of the year." If you happen to be in the neighborhood you can pick up the single for 4.99 GBP which converts to about $8.16 USD (thats $4.09 per song). Sweet deal.

The Magic Kids will be playing GonerFest 6 this Saturday (09/26/09) at Hi-Tone Cafe.

Mantles Debut LP Reviewed On Dusted.

Dusted Magazine gives a matter-of-fact review of the Mantles debut full length.

"The problem with layer upon layer of distortion and self-doubt that so many bands hide behind is that they start to obfuscate any purpose for the song. Too much fatalism, self-deprecation, and masking will just make you miserable, and the value of such a product inscrutable. Why bother in the first place, especially when it’s been so done before? It’s a valid question, but one the Mantles try to avoid altogether. “What We Do Matters” may come second on their self-titled debut, but it’s the first and really only statement they make. It’s loud and proud, marking directness and earnestness as a virtue. What follows backs up this claim." Read full review HERE.



Currently on an East Coast tour with Ty Segall:
09/18 Brooklyn, NY @ Death By Audio (w/ Ty Segall)
09/19 Princeton, NJ @ Princeton University @ Terrace Club (w/ Ty Segall)
09/20 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (w/ Ty Segall)
09/21 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell's (w/ Ty Segall)
09/25 Memphis, TN @ Buccaneer (Goner Fest 6 afternoon BBQ)
10/01 San Francisco, CA @ Eagle (Record Release Show)
11/07 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern (w/ Finches)

Rest On Water Video.

Blues Control's "Rest On Water" from the album Local Flavor on Siltbreeze. Video by Fingered.

A Mumlers Podcast.

The Bay Bridged sat down with the Mumlers (minus a member or two) to discuss their new album, the San Jose music scene, the band's modest inception, Montana free recording time and much more. The podcast includes songs from Don’t Throw Me Away along with tracks from band's debut album Thickets & Stitches. Stream the podcast HERE.

Gnaw Their Tongues Decibel Review

Gnaw Their Tongues' latest monument of HEAVYosity, All the Dread Magnificence of Perversity, reviewed in the October issue of Decibel.

" ....The earlier output I heard from this guy leaned a little too heavily on symphonics that really dulled the skin-crawling factor, but this time around the orchestral moments are buried under hot noise, a thick mire of gooey morbidity and very off-putting samples. Sure, the song titles can get a little over the top (“Gazing at Me Through Tears of Urine”? Really?), but unlike so many harmless burping death bands and their boombox production, this provides the necessary sonic equivalence.... "

Read full review HERE.

Papercuts, Wooden Shjips & Others Mentioned In Guardian Article.

Triclops! Up For SF Weekly Reader's Poll Award.

Triclops! have been nominated for a 2009 SF Weekly Reader's Poll award. And the category assigned to them is..... best Metal/Psych/Punk band. Please vote before Wednesday, Oct. 14th at 3p.m. Vote HERE. Power to the people!

Upcoming local shows:
09/11 Santa Rosa, CA @ House show in Santa Rosa
09/17 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (w/ Monotonix)
10/11 Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix Theatre (w/ No Means No)
10/12 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (w/ No Means No)
10/16 Oakland, CA @ The Uptown (w/ No Means No)
10/17 Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s (w/ No Means No)

D&N Revel In The Sub Pop Years.

A nice 7.5 Pitchfork review for Damon & Naomi's latest release, a collection of their Sub Pop Years....

"....Admittedly, that decade resulted in a mere three studio albums, but Damon & Naomi's relatively limited output makes them a good candidate for a concise career overview compilation, which The Sub Pop Years welcomingly provides. Divided more or less evenly between The Wondrous World of Damon & Naomi, Playback Singers, and Damon & Naomi With Ghost, while adding material from a 2002 tour document, The Sub Pop Years likely won't spark any epiphanies, but it does help coalesce a career that often, by design or not, threatened to float off into the ether and disappear...."

Read full review HERE.

Mumlers "Coffin Factory" Video.

Night of the zombie disco! "Coffin Factory" off the Mumlers latest album Don’t Throw Me Away which streets next Tuesday (Sept. 8th 2009).

A Hawk And A Hacksaw

A Hawk And A Hacksaw's latest album Delivrance reviewed on Baeble blog:

".....Named after a line from Hamlet, AHAAH does the bard proud by turning every song into a web of intrigue and storytelling. Sometimes, words are insufficient. Sometimes the most lyrical music is the kind that doesn't need to beat you over the head with witticisms. Almost all the songs are exclusively instrumental, and the galloping violin, whimsical accordion, and eclectic orchestra (which includes everything from the upright bass, cello, and clarinet, to the bouzouki and cimbalom) weave fireside tales of sharing soup with mustached villagers, galloping along the Danube in a horse-drawn buggy, dancing late into the night on the cobblestones in the main square....." Read full review HERE.

Upcoming US tour:
09/12 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle (The Wire present Adventures in Modern Music)
09/14 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
09/15 Pittsburgh, PA @ Your Inner Vagabond
09/16 Toronto, ON @ The Drake Hotel
09/17 Montreal, QC @ Il Motore (w/ Damon & Naomi)
09/18 Boston, MA @ YMCA Theatre (w/ Damon & Naomi)
09/19 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge (w/ Damon & Naomi)
09/20 Washington, DC @ Rock N' Roll Hotel(w/ Damon & Naomi)
09/22 Chapel Hill, NC @ Nightlight
09/23 Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle Tavern and Music Hall (w/ Damon & Naomi)
09/24 Athens, GA @ The Melting Pot (w/ Damon & Naomi)
09/25 Atlanta, GA E.A.R.L. (w/ Damon & Naomi)
09/26 Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light (w/ Damon & Naomi)
10/03 Albuquerque, NM @ Outpost Performance Space
10/06 Tucson, AZ @ Solar Culture
10/07 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
10/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland (w/ Damon & Naomi)
10/09 San Francisco, CA @ Independent (w/ Damon & Naomi)
10/10 Eureka, CA @ Nocturnum (w/ Damon & Naomi)
10/11 Eugene, OR @ Cozmic Pizza (w/ Damon & Naomi)
10/12 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir (w/ Damon & Naomi)
10/13 Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern (w/ Damon & Naomi)
10/15 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge (w/ Damon & Naomi)
10/16 Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive (w/ Damon & Naomi)

Nice Vladislav Delay Interview On Flavorwire.

An interview with Finnish composer Sasu Ripatti’s who works under the name Vladislav Delay was posted on Flavorwire last week. The feature includes a video and a stream-able edited version of the song "Melankolia" off the upcoming album Tummaa (street 09/06/09) on the Leaf Label.

FP: A lot of your recent work shows some dissatisfaction with making things you can’t really touch or experience except through electronics. Why the new emphasis on working with your hands?

SR: Soundwise and rhythmically, of course, electronics and computers have beautiful aspects, but this one particular issue can make all the positive aspects troublesome. Sometimes I have been frustrated having to program a tone or rhythm with a mouse in my hand when I had an inspiring vision ten minutes before. I could have just played it out, but I end up writing software and forgetting what I was about in the first place. I try to bring the two approaches together somehow, looking for various ways to make it more the way I wish it was.

Read full feature HERE.

YACHT 7"

Upcoming Yacht 7" picture disc. Release date - TBA

Yacht - Best New Music.

It's old news but good news.... Yacht's latest album See Mystery Lights received a 8.5 Best New Music review by Pitchfork way way back on August 5th.

"....It's a collection of stone jams that finds the band finally as hellbent on experimenting and expanding the boundaries of its sonic scope as it is on having fun. Built on electronic foundations-- laser effects, skittering computerized beats, and spacey synth lines (or guitar riffs that have been tuned or distorted to sound like synths)-- these new songs are giddy with creative freedom while remaining tethered in service of their melodies...."

Read full review HERE.

White Mice.

White Mice melting minds at Death by Audio Brooklyn, NY. on August 10, 2009. Their new studio album Ganjahovahdose will be released on Oct. 20th on the 20 Buck Spin label.

Killer Gnarly Photos Of Gates Of Slumber!

Bass thunder - Jason McCash

O' Brooklyn Vegan posted some awesome live photos of Gates Of Slumber from their Webster Hall show on August 9th. View all photos HERE.

DOA Tour Journal Of China.

Joe "Shithead" Keithley chronicles DOA's experience in China in five lengthy segments for Magnet Magazine.

Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Part 4:
Part 5:

Christmas Island Teaser Track Posted On Pitchfork.

Christmas Island's track "Bed Island" from the upcoming Blackout Summer album (10/6) was posted on Pitchfork's August 12th Forkcast. Apparently it is one of the most read/streamed singles on the site (in their Top 15). Totally sick! Stream away HERE.

Box Elders Rack'em Up.

Box Elders new album Alice and Friends has racked up quite a bit of press since it's release on August 11th. Here are just a dainty few:

* "Necro" MP3 and release details posted on Catbirdseat

* ZME Music "New Music Monday" feature w MP3 of "Stay"

* New Album Release mention on Rollo & Grady (LA Music Blog)

* Lazy-i (Ohama area music blog) mini feature

* Dusted album review

* Live preview in Nebraska blog The Dark Stuff

* 3 1/2 stars review in SPIN

* New Release of Note & stream of "Hole In My Head" on MBV.com

* Video for "Jackie Wood" posted on MBV.com

* Time Out NYC "Hot New Releases" feature

* Feature w/"Jackie Wood" MP3 on Easy Street Records Blog

* Review and video for "Jackie Wood" in SF Examiner.com

* Review in Exclaim!

Biafra And The Guantanamo Boys In Cambodia.

Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine performing the DK classic "Holiday in Cambodia" at Center for the Arts , Grass Valley, CA. The new album Audacity of Hype will hit the shops towards the end of October 2009.

4 And A Half Stars Bloody Panda Review In Pittsburgh Daily News.

Maclean's Happy House Video

The Juan Maclean - "Happy House" from Brian Long on Vimeo.

Vivian Girls Acoustic Sessions.

Three Vivian Girls clips from an acoustic session recorded in Austria last June were posted on Stereogum a couple days ago. One clip features "When I'm Gone" off the band's upcoming album Everything Goes Wrong due out early next month. Vivs-out Here.

Yob Feature In Decibel.

Name changes, lineups changes and lawsuits, Decibel Magazine & guitarist Mike Scheidt unravel the story of Yob.

“I really didn’t think too much about any expectations from fans or critics,” Scheidt claims. “We were so ‘in the zone’ with our old and new material that our focus and attention were completely consumed. It wasn’t until we played our reunion show in February 2009 that I realized our new material was going to be well-received. Until then, we were just in our rehearsal space trying to write music that would make us grin like devils.”

Read full feature HERE.

Revolver USA Podcast #17 Is Ready For A Listen.

Whoa, what happened? It's been a long ass time since the last Revolver USA podcast. Cast #17 plays catch-up with the past couple months of releases: Susumu Yokota, Onna, Matteah Baim, Bob Log III, Syntheme, Pansy Division, Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Crystal Stilts. You can stream or download an AAC file of this podcast and all other Revolver podcasts at the Revolver pod-page: http://www.midheaven.com/audio/podcast/

More to come soon.

Reigning Sound Pitchfork Review & Tour Dates

Reigning Sound's legacy of soulful garage rock soldiers on with the release of Love & Curses (street date Aug. 11th). Pitchfork weighs in with a respectable 7.6 review.

"...... Love and Curses sounds as much a product of the present as of the past, and the new songs attack with goblin force but vampire sophistication, thanks to another new line-up. The rhythm section of drummer Lance Wille and bass player David Wayne Gay (formerly of Freakwater) add muscle and agility to the stomping "If I Can't Come Back" and "Dangerous Game", while Dave Amels lays down sweeping organ riffs on "Something to Hold Onto" and "Broken Things"...."

Read full review HERE.

Upcoming Southeast dates & Gonerfest:
08/06 Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle (w/ Thomas Function)
08/07 Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club (w/ Thomas Function)
08/08 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl (w/ Thomas Function, Greg O DJ set)
08/15 Memphis, TN @ Nocturnal (Antenna Reunion show, w/ Compulsive Gamblers)
09/25 Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Café (GonerFest 6)