Peter Sagar's Sans AIDS: For Lovers of Pavement or Those that Wish Interpol was Still Cool

Sans AIDS is a lo-fi noise rock act from Edmonton, Canada (although I do believe Mr. Sagar relocated to Montreal at some point...) that has been active since 2009.  The band seems to vary from one to three members with Peter Sagar being the only constant performer; in fact, many critics have described the project as a solo act.  After several recordings and a few tours, Sagar’s project is rightfully getting the attention of critics and fans alike. I’ve had a hard time, however, tracking this group’s discography; most of their releases have been 7”s, splits, and tapes, which makes it difficult.  My first encounter with their music was the 2010 six song tape release, Loaners (Bart Records).  It’s a wonderful, short, minimalist pop album that begs many comparisons.  There is an obvious Pavement influence, for instance, but I also hear post rock elements in the style of Lungfish or Slint.  Dare I say I hear similarities to early Interpol here as well.  If that turns you off, then ignore that last statement.  One blog in the digital sphere of information described Sagar’s music as Lo-Fi slacker pop.  I like that; this guy does exude vibes of slacker-imbued tranquility. In fact, this is best listened to on the couch at noon in one’s underwear when there’s better, more important things to be done that day.  I have a feeling Sagar would have it no other way.  Here’s the opening track of the tape release, Loaners; it’s called “Stoop”:

That’s a great song, but the album’s strongest moment is the track, “forklift.”  I cannot figure out for the life of me how to attach the song link here, so here’s the bandcamp link for the entire album, Sample Sans AIDS "Loaners".  One can listen to the entire release at the linked website, but make a point to listen to the song, “forklift.”  Trust me; it’s catchy.  YouTube had little to offer for samples, but here’s a live performance of a song from another release (not sure which one...) called, “My Friends”:

For fans of poppier Lungfish or Slint, mid-career Pavement, and Lo-Fi recordings in general, this will be a much appreciated addition to the music library.  Definitely check it out, and feel free to comment.

Sans AIDS "Loaners"

Let’s wrestle? Well, ok!!

If you like the previous post and you’ve never listened to Let’s Wrestle, well now’s the time, especially when I reveal the name of the producer of their latest album, Nursing Home (2011 Merge Records) Steve Albini has teamed up with this most recent project of post-punk pastiche to record and produce a raw, tastefully ironic pop record, and I just recently got it on Vinyl. Here’s the video to the album’s opening track, “In Dreams Part II”:

Let’s Wrestle is a three-piece indie rock group from England that formed in 2005. They began releasing singles in 2007 and have recorded 2 full length albums since; the first release I listened to was their Ep, In Loving Memory Of... (2008 Stolen Records), thanks to a friend from OK. I think that Ep is my favorite of their discography, and it reminds me most of the early TV Personalities sound. Here’s the video to the track, “I Won’t Lie to You”:

That’s some really good, stripped-down Lo-Fi rock’n’roll!! But my favorite song of the release is the song, “Man with Pica Syndrome.” They made a video for that track as well:

Let’s Wrestle is a lot of fun. It’s raw, ironic & humorous, while at the same time, heart-felt & real. They’re good for any party as well; definitely add to the library, and start with the ep...

let’s wrestle in loving memory of

http://www.mediafire.com/?ymiuzzzo42w

Hipsters meet your Godfathers: Dan Treacy & Ed Ball of the Television Personalities & Teenage Filmstars

Television Personalities playing live

So the story begins at the discount bookstore. I was flipping through records and came across the popular Teenage Filmstars album Star (1992 Creation Records).  The price was right, so I purchased it.  I’ve always been a fan of Dan Treacy’s and Ed Ball’s post-punk project, Television Personalities, but so far, the later reincarnation of the artists’ side project (Teenage Filmstars) has proved disappointing, but why??  I like loud, fuzzy, textured psychedelia as much as the next person, and the band explores such aesthetics to the point of sheer fetishization. The obsessive fetishizing of 60s culture isn’t what bothers me, however; in fact, I probably participate in this social practice.  I think the problem is I’ve listened to the Television Personalities for many years now, and I love their campy, minimalist take on post-punk rock.  And that’s what’s missing from their later project...

Here’s my favorite track on the later Teenage Filmstars album; it’s entitled “Kiss Me”:

It’s good psychedelia for sure, ahead of its time in relation to the recent, neo-psychedelic revival.  But it doesn’t have the enduring quality of their previous, more kitschy approach to Lo-Fi, garage-style post-punk.  Their more known project, Television Personalities, began releasing singles as early as 1978.  Their debut album, And Don’t the Kids Just Love It, was recorded in 1980 and released in 1981 on Rough Trade.  It’s rawness, minimalism, and irony is almost too much, and as a result, it’s an awesome album!!!  Check out the opening track, “This Angry Silence,” of their debut full length:

It’s like early Beatles-y Brit Pop mixed with the irony of post-Sex Pistols music culture.  In other words, it’s the songs of innocence and songs of experience all in one pop song formula.... Incredible!

The Television Personalities were (or are... I think they’re technically still together?....) the brainchild of Dan Treacy and Ed Ball.  They were an English group that was very much part of the emerging Punk (and later Post-Punk) music scene.  In the early years, they released singles under several varying band names: Television Personalities, Teenage Filmstars, The Times, The O Level....  By the time of their debut album, they seemed to have settled on 2 names for separate projects: TV Personalities and The Times.  Later, they re-formed under the name previously (but briefly) used, Teenage Filmstars.  I have always preferred the early material of their project, TV Personalities.  Here’s another great track, “Geoffrey Ingram,” from the 1st album:

The band continued to release more albums through the 80s, each release moving more and more away from their post-punk roots, exploring instead sounds of the previous decade: namely the psychedelic 60s.  My favorite moment in this transition of sound was captured beautifully in the following video, a clip I recently discovered when surfing the ole net.  The song is called “The Painted Word,” and it’s from their 1985 album of the same name (Whaam! Records):

Oh my God!  That video just made my day when I discovered it.  21st century hipsters eat your heart out. You can’t get more ironically pastiche or self-consciously campy than that!  Davie Crocket hats are as hip as it gets! (Ricky, you know what I’m talking about.... sorry, inside joke for a friend of the blog....)  In fact, this video (and not the aforementioned record purchase) is what really inspired this post; I had to share it with my small world; hope it warms your heart as well.

Here’s one more track from the debut TV Personalities album; it’s called “Silly Girl”:

If you like raw, Lo-Fi post-punk - like recent acts such as Let’s Wrestle or Art Brut - early TV Personalities albums are for you, especially the first one.  Check it out and feel free to comment.

Teenage Filmstars:

http://www.mediafire.com/?loemjkmzjdz

Television Personalities:

http://www.mediafire.com/?lnwmrygqss2

Ben Chasny: Six Organs of Admittance, Comets on Fire, & Rangda

Ben Chasny is an amazing musician.  Although I will not post links to downloads (to respect Chasny’s attitude towards the matter...), I wanted to provide some samples of his amazing work. If you like it, spend some money and support it.  

Ben Chasny is most known for his psychedelic folk project, Six Organs of Admittance, which recently released a new album, Asleep on the Floodplain (Drag City 2011).  I just picked up a copy.  Don’t have much to say about it yet; I need to listen more.... It explores the softer experimental sounds that one would expect from Chasny’s project. Here’s the track “Hold But Let Go”:

Six Organs of Admittance have recorded prolifically since the late 90s (with more than 10 albums in a decade). Some highlights are the records Dark Noontide (their 4th album, released 2002 on Holy Mountain), For Octavio Paz (6th album released 2003 on Holy Mountain), School of the Flower (8th album released in 2005 on Drag City), and Shelter from the Ash (10th album released 2007 on Drag City).  Here’s the title track of one of my favorite albums, The School of the Flower: 

And the video of the the title track of 2007’s Shelter from the Ash:

Chasny’s Six Organs of Admittance would satisfy the tastes of folk enthusiasts, psychedelic rock fans, and any interested in experimental music.  I cannot recommend these albums enough. 

Now those that wish for a little more noise, fuzz, and rock’n’roll need not be discouraged.  Meet Chasny’s alter-ego: Comets on Fire.  The band puts down the acoustic six string and plugs in the high-powered full-stack for a full-on Stoner Rock fuzz-fest.  The group has released 4 full length albums, most recently Blue Cathedral (2004 Sub Pop) and Avatar (2006 Sub Pop).  Here’s a live video of their song , “The Bee & the Crackin’ Egg” from the LP Blue Cathedral:

Comets on Fire rock loud and hard, and Chasny’s guitar skills are nearly impeccable.  I highly recommend all the albums.

More recently, Ben Chasny has recorded and performed with super-group, Rangda, featuring Richard Bishop (of Sun City Girls) and drummer Chris Corsano (Six Organs of Admittance).  Most likely, I’ll post exclusively about Richard Bishop & his music at some later date.  He too is a phenomenal guitarist with a very particular style, so the chance to hear both artists in musical dialogue is a treat to say the least.  Here they are performing together (but not as Rangda; I believe this a Six Organs concert...):

Now here’s Ben Chasny & Richard Bishop performing as Rangda:

Like Comets, Rangda rocks a little louder than Six Organs.  The above song is “Bull Lore,” a track off their sole album False Flag (2010 Drag City).  If you like what you hear, I highly recommend the entire release. The musicianship is beyond impressive, and I include Chris Corsano in that statement. The drumming on this record is ridiculous.

I dig Chasny's entire spectrum of musical performance.  It ranges from folk to noise, and it never disappoints. Definitely support this artist.

A Look at Houston Garage Rock

So the previous post made reference to "garage rock" sensibilities. No band did garage punk better than Houston's The Jewws. They were a short-lived project of the late 90s and only released one Lp: L'Explosion du son de Maintenant (2002 Demolition Derby/Nitro! Records). Yes, their name falls short of achieving the clever payoff obviously intended by its founding members, but their music consistently delivers above and beyond. The band could have gone places; well worth checking out. Here's a track from the sole full length:

dl: http://www.mediafire.com/?rju4au7suwu94hl

Recently, I came across Junior Varsity's 45, Go to the Ice Cream Social. 2 of the members of the above mentioned group were previously in this 50s/6os style garage rock band. They too were based in Houston, Tx. It's some pretty stripped-down, raw garage pop; it's not for everyone. Check it out:

dl: http://www.mediafire.com/?32tmzzengi1

One member of the Jewws & Junior Varsity, Rebecca, now plays in the garage rock group, The Hex Dispensers. If you like the Jewws, check them out as well.