Civic (Melbourne); Jumpstarted Plowshards (L.A.); Cecyl Ruehlen (Arizona); Rolando Bruno (Buenos Aries); Boss Rush (Birmingham); Tyvek (Detroit)

Melbourne's Civic has a new vinyl release coming out Oct. 20th, New Vietnam & Singles. I listened to it today, it's rock'n'roll, I give it an overall B or so. The best song was "Street Machine Dream," had a cool Iggy Pop vibe. I listened to the song twice today I liked it so much:

"Plowhards Revenge Potion No.4" is a fun punk single from a new Recess Records release, Round Two, by Jumpstarted Plowshards, due out in October. I didn't know it until just now but Jumpstarted Plowshards is Mike Watt (The Minutemen, fIREHOSE) and Todd Congelliere (F.Y.P, Toys That Kill). Maybe like, mention that on the Bandcamp page. I guess you just have to be in the know. This will be their second release.

Here's some interesting new musique concrete frmo Arizona-based artist Cecyl Ruehlen:

This is older, from 2015, but there's a new physical CD for it. Great combo of cumbia and garage-psych:

I haven't heard from Boss Rush in a while, their new 3 songs are, well, boss. It's from a split they're doing with a band called KinZie, I didn't get a chance to listen to KinZie today. Boss Rush are a married couple out of Birmingham. Great rock'n'roll:

Finally, Detroit's Tyvek has a new album due out in November. The first two songs on the album are available, great stuff:

Alright, 4 days, 4 posts in a row! I'm officially in manic terriority, so soon I'll burn out and you won't hear from me on here for 3 months. But, one way or the other I will be doing the Clean Nice Quiet KPISS.FM show -- remember this Saturday I'm going to start doing TWO HOURS every week, from 5 to 7 PM EST. Can't wait!

4:44; Yammerer; Salem Trials; Metal Postcard Records; Legless Trials; The Legless Crabs; The Bordellos; Alien Nosejob; Ausmuteants; Thalmus

4:44 is a singer-songwriter one man recording project based out of New Jersey. I feature new 4:44 from time to time, always good stuff. The last post with a 4:44 track was in September (where I erroneously said he was from Philidelphia), but the track I featured has been taken down by the artist on his Bandcamp page. So here's another track from his most recent 21 track Bandcamp digital release, Orchid, released back in September:

Thalmus is also a singer-songwriter solo project, based out of Atlanta, who makes "weird country music," and I love that description. Midnight Country is a digital Bandcamp release "featuring a few originals mixed in with country covers of Sonic Youth, Thundercat, Anita Baker, and Rae Sremmurd." Check out their cover of SY's "Schizophrenia," it's super-cool:

This was submitted back in June and I missed it. Just stumbled on it tonight while ironically trying to figure out how best not to miss stuff like this. Yammerer is from Liverpool. I was 3 seconds in and hooked on this track, "Tell Me What The Ancient Astronauts Believe," and stayed hooked for the full 3 minutes of the song. Killer, urgent post-punk, and what a great song title:

New Salem Trials is bitchin' as always. Post-punk rock duo from Leeds about as prolific as Bob Pollard or Zappa:

I was honored to get to work with Andy from Salem Trials under the moniker Legless Trials, and we're very lucky to have Metal Postcards to promote them for us. Our most recent Metal Postcard release is an EP called Hotwire an Ambulance. The lead track, "Hotwire an Ambulance," has been played on no less than three terrestrial radio stations, and as far as I know, maybe more. Maybe ALL THE STATIONS. That's me on vox, Andy on everything else:

I just looked over at the Metal Postcard Records Bandcamp page and betcha by golly, Salem Trials has another release on it. I told you they were prolific. Synthetic Animals and Other Plastics is an 8 song concept album, here's "Halo of Flies:"

And speaking of prolific Metal Postcard artists, both the Bordellos and the Legless Crabs (who may or may not be my noisy, off key solo project) both have new releases. The Bordellos have a new 2 song double A-side, "Dancing To The Hits/Slow Motion Fade Out," and the Crabs have a new 11 song, 20 minute long album called Tender Karaoke, and I gotta say, it's not the worst thing, if you're into noisy, off key solo projects. The Bordellos release is genius as all fuck tho:

The Bordellos also have a 4 song digital release on their own Bandcamp page, Rock N Roll Is Dead EP. The Bordellos are that band where you tell people how rad they are, and they don't listen, and then some time later they say to you, "hey, have you ever heard of the Bordellos?" And you want to strangle them, despite their well-meaning attempt to turn you on to cool new music. I do that to my wife all the time and it's a wonder she hasn't strangled me to death yet:

Alien Nosejob has new vinyl out, I'll pay for that without having to hear it first because you know it's gonna be rad. But luckily I do get to hear it first on Bandcamp before I inevitably order it. Alien Nosejob is the bedroom project of Jake Robertson from Ausmuteants. Ausmuteants has not put out anything since 2019, but these Alien Nosejob albums have been super cool. I've got the first two on vinyl, will be ordering this as well:

...Present The World In Handcuffs was the last Ausmuteants album, released in the Before Times of 2019. The Bandcamp page still has vinyl available:

All that got us up to is mid-November with new releases and submissions. More later and soon maybe, ya know. I dunno. Go forth and listen to the above! And drink lots of water. I want to play some Skyrim, or maybe Tropico, or some Sims. If I could play all three at once, I still wouldn't be satisfied.

Bordello & Clark; Metal Postcard Records

It wouldn't be CNQ catching up after a month of doofing around with other projects and video games without a post featuring Brian Bordello's latest project and/or something new from Metal Postcard Records. So here's a post featuring both.

Back in late August I mentioned Merseyside's Brian Bordello had a long unreleased album he did with U.S guitarist Ted Clark (I think Clark is based out of Ohio) finally due out courtesy Think Like a Key. That album, Atlantic Crossing by Bordello & Clark is finally out, and you can stream, download or purchase the CD on Think Like a Key's Bandcamp page. Long-time readers of CNQ will know I think there's nobody quite as good as Brian Bordello currently alive and making music. Clark's finish on Bordello's initial four track recordings of the dozen tracks compliment Brian's keen ability to craft a lo-fi pop song, with the tape hiss of the four track naturally adding to the ambience. Beautiful guitar songs with Brian's lyrics that are, as always, Lennon-levels of humor and vitriol, often nostalgic and melancholy, and each as enchanting as the last, from beginning to end. These two guys really knock it out of the park with this one. Absolutely one of the best albums of the year:

Hey, is it just me or is this year almost over? It went by faster than last year, feels like. Take care of yourself -- drink lots of water. Sit and breathe.

CNQ's favorite Australian label, Metal Postcard Records, has been as busy as always. The last thing I featured from MP was Leeds post-punk duo Salem Trials' Something Beginning With back in September. One half of the Salem Trials, Andy Goz, has done a team-up similar to Bordello & Clark with Texas' own Son of El Borko, from the Legless Crabs. Together they've release a self-titled EP and, as of today, a full length on MP called What We Did During The Fall. Andy Goz is as talented as all get out. Son of El Borko is me and I gotta say y'all, the week or so it took us to crank out the EP and the album was one of the most fun, challenging and rewarding experiences of my semi-churned life. Andy flexes his post-punk/no wave chops throughout, and I try to be clever and don't know what a key is. For "Holding Pattern," which is one of my favorite songs I've ever written, Andy brought in his friend Jules Lawrence for harmonica for the track, and that harmonica really brings the song home, I think.

Will Feral is an electronic producer who makes scores for invisible movies (actually it's just me and Garageband, but don't tell anybody). Hellweb is an attempt at a score for a cyberpunk horror story. This is the first Will Feral full length for MP:

Also in the electronic vein, MP stalwart Sir Robert Orange Peel has a new album out, and those are always fun, plus Dub Chieftain's Homeworld is a great album, think King Tubby making music for a 16-bit video game:

Rock'n'roll purists will undoubtably enjoy the Aliens album 30 lbs. of Air:

And, for some fun punk:

Metal Postcard Records is an incredible thing to be a part of. The level of talent Sean Hocking attracts and is able to amplify (plus my own bullshit) is a real feat in our current internet stage filled with noise and little signal. Metal Postcard is that signal.

And not to put too fine a point on it: "Pig Fucker," the Brian Bordello & Occult Character song that, many believe, and some even say aloud, is the finest song ever written and recorded, was released on MP, a little over a year ago now. Full disclosure -- I wrote the lyrics to the song, but man does Brian send this into the stratosphere where the best songs ever hang in orbit around us:

J. Lynch (UK); Slomo Sapiens (Philidelphia); If So Why (Melbourne); BIB (Omaha); Chastity Belt (Seattle); Acrobat Shonen (Japan); Starflyer 59 (California); Into The Buzzing (Germany)

Moving through August submissions backlog. A lot of music came out last month. I mean, a lot of music comes out every month. It's overwhelming and disappointing I can't seem to get around to listening to more than a tiny percentage of it. That's not because there's too much, or because I don't have the time to listen to more. It's because I'm not dedicated enough. I listen to music as much as the next music nerd -- but I'm certainly guilty of listening to the same stuff over and over as much as any normal classic rock fan stuck in whatever year she graduated high school, or any casual radio listener. I gotta try harder. But, as I've often said, as soon as keeping up with this blog starts to feel like a chore, or a job, I immediately lose interest and it takes me a while to get my blogging momentum up and going again. But y'all don't wanna hear me, y'all just wanna dance:

Holy heck, BIB has a new free download single, "The Healing Room," that I totally missed. I'm a big fan of this band out of Omaha -- noise, psych, hardcore, thrash, all meld into the sonic psychotic breakdown that is every BIB track I've experienced so far. "The Healing Room" continues their streak - truly boss. It's going to be featured on an upcoming Triple B Records release called America's Hardcore Volume 5, a 2 disc set that's already sold out on pre-order.

California's Starflyer 59 has released 'Sunrise,' their 3rd single from the upcoming full length album Vanity, to be released on Velvet Blue Music on 10/15. Great single -- quality alt-rock that any fan of Echo and the Bunnymen ought to be floored by, if you're not hep already:

This 6 track demo from German producer Into The Buzzing is what I'm talking about. Noisy electro, buzzy bass, experimental beats, heck yeh. I haven't heard a Mouse on Mars album in 25 years, but this reminded me of it:

Difficult Art and Music is a new experimental music label based in the UK. Per its press release, the label is "specializing in research-orientated music and art releases...in lavishly designed, limited edition packaging."

Sounds pretty interesting to me. They have three releases out now, here's the latest -- The Tender Appropriation, by J. Lynch. A noise experiment using the cut-up method and recordings of his late grandfather. You can pre-order the cassette on Difficult Art and Music's Bandcamp page. Fascinating:

If So Why have released their debut EP, World Eater, you can buy the cassette on their Bandcamp page. The single, "Indifference is Futile," is a nice blast of noisy, sufficiently aggressive alt-rock. If So Why is from Melbourne:

Philidelphia psych-rockers Slomo Sapiens' new single, "We Could Be Gone," is good stuff. I'm not sure where one goes to purchase this, but you can listen here, and it's streaming too:

SLOMO SAPIENS · We Could Be Gone

Acrobat Shonen is pop punk from Nagoya, Japan. Fun song and video, my critique is it goes on about a minute longer than it should, but that's probably related to my hang-ups about pop-punk. The genre is not my favorite thing in the world, and pop-punk stuff often makes me cringe upon listening. This is a good effort though, from people clearly enjoying themselves -- which matters more than my shitty opinion:

Chastity Belt are out of their "Cool Slut" tees and hoodies already, but they still have a "Cool Slut" beanie for sale, neat merch. I haven't heard a Chasity Belt song in a while. Here's the last thing they released on Bandcamp, from May, 2020:

More to come from August submissions soon.

Roland Bruno (Argentina); Palberta and Sunk Heaven (New York); The Ducks and Salem Trials (UK); Call In Dead and 2Amature (Florida); The Shifters (Australia); Franck Racket (France); and Adam Holtz (Alabama)

Back in 2016, Buenos Aires based Roland Bruno released a 7" single called "Cumbia Reaction." Apparently Switzerland's Voodoo Rhythm will have a new release from Bruno soon. Absolutely rad Latin garage psych:

Is "rhythm" the weirdest word in the English language or what? I find it impossible to correctly spell it the first or second time. It never looks right.

On May 7, at 7PM Central, Palberta is doing a livestream on Bandcamp where they'll play their new album Palberta5000 in its entirety. Ten bucks, and an electro-noise artist called Sunk Heaven will also be playing. I've got my ticket, and got an e-mail from Warf Cat Records today letting me know my Palberta5000 record has shipped. They still have vinyl for sale on Bandcamp:

On May 19, 7PM GMT, Brighton two-piece The Ducks and something called Super Nothing TV will present "The Ducks Will Fxck You," "a live stream set from The Hope & Ruin in Brighton, a collection of sketches and music videos." I'm intrigued:

Also from the UK, prolific CNQ faves Salem Trials have a rad new track on Soundcloud:

SalemTunes · In the Future lies the Past

Released today, DCxPC Live Volume 1 Presents: Call in Dead and 2AMature Live at the Danger Room in Orlando, FL, is the first 45" put out by new punk label DCxPC. Limited to 200 copies, you can get one for $10. The Call in Dead side is a mishmash of hc and pop punk, crust/screamo, metal, and unfortuntely, a little bit of ska ("Summer Camp"), but despite the skanin' in "Summer Camp," it's quality r'n'r. The 2Amature side leans towards pop/surf but has an edge, and the whole live split is a success at capturing the sound and energy of a kinetic punk show. Recommended:

It's quaint to say I miss going to live shows, but I do. I know some folks have already started going back to live events, but I'm not ready for it.

The Shifters - Live In Gaul was recorded live (on an iPhone!) back in 2019, and put out on cassette this year by French label Arvo Disques. The cassette has already sold out, but a repress is on the way. Meanwhile you can listen to the full thing on Bandcamp. Fun, jangly, lo-fi rock'n'roll, and it's nice to hear a crowd having fun:

Also from France, Franck Racket is a grungy two-piece and their 5 song release Dark Ages is available digitally or on CD. I've been on a '90s hard rock kick lately and this release from back in February hits in that spot:

Finally, longtime CNQ fave Adam Holtz has a new song and video he made called "You." Always a pleasure to hear a new song from Adam:

Punk, Alt and Indie from Argentina, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, the UK and Australia

Like, at this point, what is the difference between "alt" and "indie" rock? Was there ever a difference? I typically just go with however the band or artist describe themselves. It doesn't matter really. Rock'n'roll is finite, and will only last as long as its youngest fan -- so enjoy it while it lasts, aficionado!

Here's Argentina's Desborde with a steller new punk single and a b/w, featuring one of the guys from Emboscada, whose demos I've featured on CNQ a couple of times. This go-round there's some synth and it's just totally rockin', a must-listen:

Voodoo Rhythm Records is from Bern, Switzerland. Active since 1993, they specialize in garage punk, surf, trash rock, and one-man bands. Here's a smattering of what they have to offer. Cool stuff:

Alien Nosejob is the solo project of Australia's Jake Robertson, the guitarist from Ausmuteants. Ausmuteants we haven't heard from in a while, but Robertson has been busy with Alien Nosejob. I got Suddenly Everything Is Twice As Loud on vinyl last year, after it's January 2020 release, and it is super solid. HC45-2 is his third Alien Nosejob release since, and I haven't listened to any of these, so I need to do a little catch-up. Robertson is a talent -- HC45-2 is noisy punk with elements of thrashin' metal guitar shredding, not like the Devo-esqueness of Ausmuteants at all, but equally as enjoyable. It's interesting, on the Alien Nosejob Bandcamp page, it makes no mention of Robertson being with Ausmuteants, which I feel like got big enough underground-wise he would want to make the connection/remind folks? Who knows. At any rate, you owe it to yourself to listen to this six song, eight minute EP. Totally rockin':

If I like or think an artist or band is half-way promising I'll follow and subscribe to their Bandcamp updates. So since I've been doing this since 2012, I get a ton of Bandcamp updates daily. But I'm very bad at following up on these new releases from bands I've tracked, preferring instead to dig around the Bandcamp new releases, just because that's fun to me. Lately I've been on a tear with CNQ, so I'll try to do some upkeep with these Bandcamp new releases I get, in addition to my preferred method of digging through the new releases. Here's a couple from Don't Worry, a band from Essex. My touchstone for this sound is Los Campensinos and '80s UK alt-rock. Enjoyable indie-rock:

You can also order a promotional poster for these two tracks. The art is cool, check it out.

CNQ Recommendations for Bandcamp Fee Waiver Friday

Here's what I picked up from Bandcamp today, what with them being nice enough to forgo their vig and all:

BIB is the nuttiest noise outta Omaha, and this is their latest full length. You can get it on vinyl via Pop Wig Records, but it's not on Bandcamp so I figured I should give my money directly to the band here. The first time I heard BIB, I thought I had drifted ten years into the future:

Here's a rockin' comp from Paris' super-cool Buddy Records:

Another label comp, this from the UK's Specialist Subject Records. It's called "FURLOUGH YOUR DREAMS," and is only available today, Friday 5/1. 100% of the proceeds will be split between the bands involved, they say, which is nice. There's also a t-shirt you can pre-order that looks pretty cool. The Specialist Subject page calls "Furlough Your Dreams" "a brilliant selection of brand new, unreleased, acoustic, demo, lo-fi, rarities & alternative tracks by a bunch of the wonderful bands we work with!" Rock:

CNQ noise punk faves Thin Skin from Denton Texas put out a live album recently, a recording of a show they did down in Austin:

One of the women from Thin Skin has a solo project of electro-weirdo goodness called Candy and the Suckers. I caught up on the discography today but here's the latest release:

You know I love Japan's Boys Age! The freakiest, dreamiest pop. This guy oughta be a star. Here's his latest album:

The excellent ARSE put out a split 7" last October on the EU's always cool Erste Theke Tontraeger Records. Savage hc from Sydney:

London's Sauna Youth, purveyors of quality post-punk, released this today, "a collection of 7" & cassette tracks, old recordings, a live session, unreleased stuff & demos. Re-contextualised here as an album "In Flux"."

I also finally picked up their 2018 full length, "Deaths":

...and finally, Baltimore's noise rock outfit Dope Body, who announced their dissolution a few years back, have been teasing new releases for a while on Facebook, and they finally released a lot of stuff today, including this, 13 new tracks that I am super-excited about. The single, Johnny Bag of Smoke, is the only one I've listened to so far and it's like, the most, man:

Proto Idiot, Andrew Anderson, Sauveterre, and Fuzzsucker

A full month in sequesterin' myself off. The missus and I are doing fine and we hope the same for you and yours. Hoppy Easter.

New from Manchester's Proto Idiot, featuring Andrew Anderson of Freak Genes and just ya know l'Monde de Cool:

Back in July of last year, Proto Idiot released a full length that I totally slept on. Here's a video from the song "I Like To Think." I dunno why these guys aren't making millions doing stadium shows, so fuckin' cool:

Meanwhile Anderson continues to fill out his quarantine album "Music Album Idea," now at 11 songs after almost a month since he first posted it to Bandcamp. Here's the most recent track. Again, how am I the only person to have purchased this album on Bandcamp? You fools are sleeping on Anderson:

A new discovery for me, courtesy Hex Windham, is New Orleans' Sauveterre, a French ex-pat doing absolutely gorgeous folk pop. Here's a couple of his recent tracks:

And to wrap things up, a collaboration between Melbourne's Fuzzsucker, and someone named Dirty Juice Boy. Nutty stuff. They set the price for this at $666, and like sure that's funny, but I would drop $10 on this. Maybe they don't need my $10. Here's a great track from it: