Dude. I don't have time for this blog. Seriously. And on top of that, I don't really even like music. Come on, music? Please. I'm gonna leave this piece in the dust. Over the next couple of weeks I'm gonna probably start a new one of these guys. It won't just be about music. I can't just write about music. I like 6 bands. Seriously. Ok, I'll see you guys later.
-L.C.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Who the fuck am I kidding?
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Pet Genius
This shit proves that Stephen Brodsky is some sort of super-human. Everything he touches turns to sonic gold. He could probably stand in front of a microphone and make armpit farts and it would come out sounding like the most beautiful music anyone has ever heard.
The first song on the site is called "Man of the Mountain" and I can't stop listening to it. It starts out with some West Coast-style stoner metal and then abruptly turns into a pretty acoustic folky pop song with trademark Brodsky vocal harmonies and weird spacey guitars. The lyrics are kinda stupid, but this dude smokes tons of dope so lay off. And besides, The Beatles wrote really stupid lyrics and everyone seems to like them just fine.
Monday, July 30, 2007
It's about time.
The final stop is in Chicago at the Beat Kitchen on August 24th.
Speaking of Clouds, expect the Clouds/Zozobra interview to finally be up sometime this week.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Whoa I'm back.
I haven't written a substantial update in this thing for months! I've been super busy, and the 18+ staff underwent some changes. I guess what's happening is Kenny left so now this thing is solely mine. Hope you don't miss him too much
I'm going to keep 18+ updated regularly. Expect record reviews, show reviews, music news and commentary, and general shit-talking.
So, now for my first post back, five records that have come out in the past few months that need some reviewing. Enjoy!
Shellac, Excellent Italian Greyhound
Shellac’s first record in like a decade. Obviously it’s awesome. Actually, probably their best work since At Action Park if you can believe that. Worth buying, even though half of the record is just a drumbeat.
This sounds more like old Pelican than new Pelican, but is way better than new Pelican but still not nearly as good as old Pelican. Make sense? The songs have cool parts but they're short and kind of disjointed. What this band really needs to do is fire their drummer and start taking downers again.
White Stripes, Icky Thump
There’s not much to say about this record that hasn’t been said already: “return to form,” “more accessible,” “Jack White’s shinning moment?” blah blah blah. If you really care about this band you’ve probably had this thing for six months so why are you even bothering to read this?
Interpol, Our Love to Admire
I hate admitting it, but I really like Interpol. The problem is that their first two albums were really half-and-half. Half of the songs were great, the other were totally snoozefests. This might be Interpol’s best record so far: all of the songs are great and they seem to ripping off Joy Division and Bauhaus and lot less. But saying “a lot less” isn’t really saying much at all. This shit sounds just like Joy Division and Bauhaus.
Bad Religion, New Maps of Hell
I don’t give a fuck about how many dweeby 15-year-old skateboard pizzafaces love Bad Religion. This band has been kicking out solid punk rock for longer than I’ve been alive. The lineup right now is unreal too: Brian Baker of Minor Threat and Dag Nasty? Awesome! Greg Hetson of the Circle Jerks? That’s what I’m talking about! Brooks Wackerman of the Suicidal Tendencies? Fuck yeah, bro!! Basically this sounds like everything else Bad Religion has ever done, so it’s awesome.
Monday, June 11, 2007
18+ IS NOT DEAD!
So hold yer horses...within the next couple of weeks we'll be back with a full-blown update and then a ton more after that. We know you've missed us, so we're about to satisfy all your wants and needs very soon.
See ya in a couple of weeks, losers.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
"The Lost Tracks of Danzig"
On May 29th, "The Lost Tracks of Danzig" will drop like it's hot. This is a double-disc set of b-sides and rarities, spanning the band's entire career so far. Yeah, yeah, I know shit got a little weak after "Lucifuge" but this it still bound to have some kick-ass songs on it. Included are "Pain is Like an Animal" and "When Death Had No Name" which are actually two late Samhain songs which got turned into the first two Danzig songs. Glenn's taking us way back on this one!
If you're interested, here's the track list:
- Pain Is Like An Animal
- When Death Had No Name
- Angel of the Seventh Dawn
- You Should be Dying
- Cold, Cold Rain
- Buick McKane
- When Death Had No Name
- Satans Crucifiction
- The Mandrake's Cry
- White Devil Rise
- Come to Silver (Acoustic)
- Deep
- Warlok
- Lick the Blood Off My Hands
- Crawl Across Your Killing Floor
- I Know Your Lie
- Caught In My Eye
- Cat People
- Bound by Blood
- Who Claims the Soulless
- Malefical
- Soul Eater
- Dying Seraph
- Lady Lucifera
- Under Belly of the Beast
- Unspeakable Shango Mix
P.S.- Your fashion-mullet and ironic mustache look fucking ridiculous. Read More......
Thursday, March 29, 2007
I'm finna tell you why...volume 3
Why: Two dudes and a little lady from
But instead you’re listening to: The Go! Team
Why: Because you think if you say you listen to this band, the pixie-haired cutie in your “Intro to Poetry” class will think you’re cool. In reality, she’ll find out you like The Go! Team and think you’re a total panty-waist.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Happy Monday, turds.
First off, Tony Lovato of third-rate Chicago based pop-punk crap machines Mest has, believe it or not, stabbed someone to death! Holy shit! Apparently he got in a fight with his ex-girlfriend's new dude-friend last night in the armpit of the country, L.A., and stabbed the dude in a fit of rage. Dude stepped back and saw exactly how much damage he caused and decided it would be the best if he turned himself in. Tony is being held on suspicion of murder. Bail if a fucking million dollars. Not only is he in a shit band, now he's in jail. Life sucks if your name is Tony Lovato. Life sucks a whole lot.
In other news, Fucked Up, who are quite possibly the best punk band kicking around right now, had none other than KEITH FUCKING MORRIS join them onstage this past weekend at South By Southwest for a cover of Black Flag's "Nervous Breakdown." Fuck man! I've never ever once in my life wanted to step foot in Texas, but goddamn, that would have been amazing to witness. Jade Tree YouTubed the song. The sound is pretty fuzzy, but it's still cool too see Keith being a wild old dork and seeing the crowd get down on this. In honor of how shitty Mondays can be, enjoy:
Friday, March 23, 2007
Zozobra / Jesu / ISIS
Either way, the two of us are happy to be back in Chicago. We were lucky enough to go to the Zozobra/Jesu/ISIS show last night. It was a great time, to say the least.
Zozobra was there playing only their sixth live set. Caleb and Santos were lucky enough to have Adam McGrath (Cave-In, Clouds) and Jim Carroll (Suicide File, Clouds) to fill the line up out with their axe-wielding abilities. They were powerful and tight. This is clearly the begining of something huge. And I, for one, am extremely excited to see what comes of this. Zozobra is without a doubt filling the void that Cave-In has left behind.
ISIS, as usual, played with precision and intensity. Everything they play sounds tight and perfectly orchestrated. This is a first-class band.
Somewhere in-between, Jesu played. For putting out some AMAZING records, this set did nothing but disappoint. Justin was sick, so the few vocal parts that were audible were slightly out of tune. The band members stood completely still, and the most complex musical parts were simply coming out of an iBook.
After the show, Caleb and Adam were kind enough to talk to the two of us about everything from Zozobra's first tour, Clouds' record, the current status of Cave-In, and balancing a "normal" life with one on the road. Two stand-up dudes. I'm going to try my damnedest to get the transcription of the interview up by Monday, so stay on the look out for that. I was going to try to do it last night, but I had Dane Mennen staying with me, so you know nothing productive was going to get done.
Until then, have a good weekend!!!!!!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Sorry guys....
Sorry Kenny and I haven't posted anything new or exciting today. We've been too busy spring breakin'.
See ya tomorrow dudez......
Friday, March 16, 2007
"I'm Gonna Live" by The Circle Jerks
Another thing that Keith is, without any sort of doubt, is the greatest punk rock singer of all time. Crusty old dudes who probably wear jean shorts will tell you that "Nervous Breakdown" by Black Flag is the greatest song ever written. Why? Because Keith Morris' vocal delivery is unreal. Full of energy and character, he was spastic and unique, full of a type of soul unheard of at the time. Have you ever heard Hank Rollins sing "Nervous Breakdown?" Jesus Christ, what the fuck was Greg Ginn thinking when he let that shit go down?
Either way, Keith's work with the Circle Jerks has its moments as well. Group Sex is nearly flawless. Their later records tapered off into a whole lot of OK, but the Jerks have just recorded a new song! And guess what? It's really great! In true Circle Jerks style, this bad boy clocks in at about 50 seconds. Unrelenting energy and a phenomenal performance by Mr. Morris makes you hate the fact that all these great bands of your past are cashing in on reunions a little less. If a new album is in the works here, all I have to say is "bring it on, you old dorks!"
Listen to "I'm Gonna Live" on the Circle Jerks' official myspace page HERE.
Spacemen 3: Recurring Interviews
It's Friday- and that means I don't feel like doing shit. Watch both parts of this Spacemen 3 interview from around the time when Recurring came out and Spiritualized and Spectrum were already happening. Smoke dope!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Grinderman: Grinderman
Hey man, I wasn't fucking kidding when I said that there are some kick ass records coming out right now. For the past few weeks, I had been cuddling up to the softer side of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds with some gems off of The Lyre Of Orpheus, but since I've heard the new Grinderman record, I can't go back. The whole thing is mind-numbingly primal, and puts all these youngsters to total shame. It's going to be totally embarrassing to be Iggy Pop on March 20th when The Weirdness is released and it sounds like little kids eating ice cream compared to Grinderman's door kicking, ass fucking, bitch slapping rock 'n roll machine. Just take a second and think about how long Nick Cave has been around... The Birthday Party kicked total fucking ass... The Bad Seeds still totally fucking slay... and now, the dude has started Grinderman. Don't be a total jackass for once, and hop on the boat while the ship is still in the dock. This record destroys all the other bullshit that people are hyping right now. Your parents would be embarrassed if they saw you clutching Neon Bible so close to your chest with shit like this out at the same time. Don't let them down, son, be a man.
Grinderman - Depth Charge Ethel
Stupid looking people on the internet.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Black Lips: Los Valientes del Mundo Nuevo
Man- when it rains, it pours, and it seems like all of a sudden some fucking kick ass records are coming out. I don't know how I almost passed up the Black Lips' new live record... probably because it came out on Vice of all fucking record labels, but anyway, it fuckin' rips! Recorded in the dirty capital of the world, TIAFUCKINJUANA, by the legendary John Reis (of Hot Snakes and Drive Like Jehu fame) there is no way on earth that this record wouldn't be good. Reis makes no effort to clean up the crowd noise or the band's sometimes embarrassing between song banter- which totally works and successfully creates the best goddamn live punk rock album I've heard in ages. Unfortunately, these dudes are going on tour with snore-core Matador band The Ponys, so I highly doubt they'll be able to re-create what's going on in this record in front of a bunch of pitchdorks, but if John Reis is involved, then we're down- no questions asked. Click it or ticket, hombre.
Black Lips - Not A Problem
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Greg Ashley: Painted Garden
I'm not quite sure what is going on with me this week, but the combination of being sick and being stressed has made things just a little more warped than usual. Strangely enough- it was easy to find a soundtrack to such a bizarre few days in Greg Ashley's Painted Garden. Ashley also fronts The Gris Gris, and his new solo record offers a stripped down version of their previous work. Hell, Ashley's last solo outing was called Medicine Fuck Dream, and I don't think you'd be far off in describing my mindset with that. Things are a little spacey, a little drowsy, and definitely a little left of center. If you're feeling the same due to some kinda wacky sickness going around Chicago, and I'm not talking about Disturbed, this is a jam that's helped me sleep through the last few days. Plus, the dude is going on tour- so you can probably robo-trip at his shows, and I don't think he'll mind. I'm sure Luke will be there screaming about punk rock music while pelting him with cigarettes. Farrrrrr outttttt broooooo!!!!
Greg Ashley - Won't Be Long
DJs need to get off of their stupid fucking goddamned high horses.
I mean, sure, playing a bunch of songs that you didn't write off of your laptop to a bar full of really unnattractive, drunk hipster dorks must be reeeeeeeaaaalllllllyyy hard work, and being able to do all that while sporting a fashionable flat-brimmed New Era baseball cap and an ironic throwback basketball jersey is a pretty admirable achievement. No wonder your heads are so big! You have tons and tons of talent!
Sike! You guys are fags!
Monday, March 12, 2007
New Banner / New Music Monday
Typically, I fucking hate when writers include some personal anecdote about how busy their lives are, and how whatever they are doing in the real world is so important- but I'm just giving you guys the heads up so you know that if this entry fucking sucks, it's because it's rushed and I have other shit to do. For example, I need to bathe. I also would like to eat sometime today.
At this point, I don't even known how I came across Los Angeles' Alarma, but their anthem about fucking while high was something I could certainly relate to. I got in touch with the dudes, and Kevin said they are currently finishing the record, and these tracks will all be on it. It's being laid straight to tape- no digital manipulation- a technique I think Kevin picked up from working with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio while in his old band Alternator. Alarma definitely has the "L.A. sound", for better or worse, but I'm pretty into it, so fuck you. Besides, nobody complains when Luke talks about sludge doom metal bands all the time- so it's my turn to get on the soapbox.
Alarma - I wanna fu when ur hi
Alarma - Blacklist
Alarma - Dead Space
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Judge a Book by its Cover: Macromantics - Moments Movement
I've decided to start a new section of 18+ in which we will judge records based entirely on their cover without ever listening to them. Our first edition features a record I got in the mail a few weeks back by Macromantics. I tried to find the album cover they used on the promo- but I couldn't track it down, so you're going to have to deal with the promotional picture they used for the album cover without goofy fonts to tell you what Macromantics is all about.
A quick glance at this chick gets you instantly thinking about Vanessa Carlton holding a limp dick... right? I really don't think that's such a bad gig- and then I suddenly realize why that dick is limp. Who can possibly get a hard-on listening to such lifeless, dull, and obnoxious bullshit? Besides, we both know that this chick is probably British, probably related to Lily Allen somehow, and is probably doing some totally awful sing-rapping involving a keyboard. Somebody obviously didn't give a fuck about how they were spending their money when they decided to finance this. I mean, I know this is probably an easy target, but I care even less about this broad then I do about websites ironically posting Arcade Fire updates all day long. It's not fucking funny and neither is your website. Shorten your news topics, quit trying to be clever, and stop pandering to whatever hip assholes bumping the new Panda Bear record that you think deserve any sort of credit. Happy Thursday, you blood sucking heathens.
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