Unrest - Perfect Teeth

One of the must-haves for any Indie scenesters. In my book, Unrest is up there with Sonic Youth, the Pixies, Butthole Surfers, Guided by Voices as Indie stalwarts.

Here's what Allmusic gotta say about Perfect Teeth:

Unrest's final and best album is both jangling and lush, and covers many styles of pop music. "Angel, I'll Walk You Home" is filled with pristine vocal harmonies, while "Cath Carroll" is flashy, thrashy punk-pop. "Light Command" is wistful and triumphant. "Breather X.O.X.O." is majestically melancholy, and "West Coast Love Affair" is breezy and tongue-in-cheek. Unrest's experimental and pop leanings come together with terrific success on Perfect Teeth, making it a high point in the band's too-brief recording career. by Heather Phares

Unrest - Perfect Teeth

Down By Law - Punkrockdays

I've been very busy lately and out-of-town most of the time that's hence the erratic posting. Anyways, I'm trying to compensate the irregularity the best that I can.

For my last post for this month I give you Down By Laws compilation Punkrockdays. I love DBL! My first introduction to DBL was Punkrockacademyfightsong which is a totally awesome record! A must have for punk rockers everywhere. In Punkrockdays, the band collected their singles and (non) hits. Until next time, enjoy!

Down By Law - Punkrockdays

Propain - Road Rage & Round 6

Here's a double post of pure hardcore - Propain's Road Rage and Round 6.

Laziness is setting in again, so here's Allmusic's review of Road Rage

"One of the most intense hardcore-metal bands of the '90s was undoubtedly Pro-Pain -- a group that has ignited many a brutal mosh pit during its tenure. As a result, a live album seemed to be a fine fit. However, the group did not get around to issuing a live set until nearly a decade after its debut release (1992's metal cult classic Foul Taste of Freedom). But when 2001's Road Rage arrived, boy, did it ever pack a Mr. T-esque wallop. The 17-track album includes highlights from throughout Pro-Pain's career, including such scream-til-the-veins-on-your-neck-explode anthems as "Foul Taste of Freedom," "Iraqnophobia," "Stand Tall," and a song that Celine Dion should really consider covering someday, "The Stench of Piss." It may have taken a long time to rear its head, but Road Rage lives up to the explosive live shows Pro-Pain have put on for years."

And Round 6 review

"In the alternative metal and hardcore fields, bands come and go. Keeping a band together can be an uphill climb -- the music industry isn't for the faint of heart -- and it isn't uncommon for alt metal and hardcore combos to break up after only one or two albums. But Pro-Pain has been impressively durable. 2004 marked the band's 12th anniversary, and Pro-Pain celebrates that anniversary with the uncompromising Fistful of Hate. Anyone who expects the New Yorkers to soften their blows will be disappointed; with Fistful of Hate, they offer another dose of harsh, angry, pummeling alt metal/hardcore venom. This 2004 release doesn't point Pro-Pain in any new directions, and the disc is unlikely to win over anyone who isn't already a fan of their hammer-to-the-skull approach. But in terms of being focused and inspired, Fistful of Hate is a winner -- and it certainly won't make diehard followers think any less of them. So why does Pro-Pain's small but enthusiastic cult following continue to hold them in such high regard? The bottom line is that Pro-Pain is superior to a lot of the competition. There is no shortage of headbangers putting out this type of mosh music in the 21st century, but Fistful of Hate underscores the fact that Pro-Pain's seemingly tireless members are doing it with much more feeling and conviction -- their hooks are sharper, their writing is crisper, their lyrics are more memorable. That said, Fistful of Hate falls short of essential; for someone who already has several Pro-Pain CD's in his/her collection, owning this one isn't absolutely necessary. But again, Pro-Pain's admirers are an enthusiastic bunch, and they will find that Fistful of Hate -- although not quite essential -- is certainly a solid and heartfelt addition to their catalog."

Enjoy!

Pro-Pain - Road Rage

Pro-Pain - Round 6

The Godfathers - Shoot to Kill

I don't have any information about this live record, but it's a good one nonetheless. Enjoy!

The Godfathers - Shoot to Kill (live)

Sepultura - Beneath the Remains

If you don't know this record, you can go back to your cave where you've been living in for the past twenty years.


Sepultura - Beneath the Remains

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Orange

Jon Spencer's former bands Pussy Galore and Bosshog explored the dirty side of rock n' roll, raw and unadulterated. With his new project, the Blues Explosion, he ventured to a more structured songwriting. Though it's nowhere near a blues band as the name tries to imply but it's more akin with classic rock.

Orange reminded me of Jimi Hendrix's Are You Experienced? (oh I'm going to be hanged by Hendrix freaks on this one!), but with lesser guitar vituosity! Keith Morris even called them The Jon Spencer Experience in the Circle Jerks' album Oddities...

Give this shit a try because in my opinion this is their best work.

Shout out to Nonoy on this one!

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Orange

Buzzcocks - Time's Up

Let's change it up with a solid punk record, Buzzcocks' Time's Up. Time's Up is a compilation of Buzzcocks songs when Howard Devoto was still with the group.

Here's what Allmusic has to say about this record:

"A fascinating semi-legitimate release of all the studio work the Howard Devoto-fronted band recorded in Manchester in October 1976. This is an expensive disc that only clocks in at 24 minutes, but it's 24 pretty great minutes. Some of the material (e.g., the cover of Captain Beefheart's "I Love You, You Big Dummy") Devoto took with him to Magazine, but the rest of the material is prime Buzzcocks: "Orgasm Addict," "Breakdown," and "Boredom" to name but a few. With Devoto singing lead, the band sound a bit more Sex Pistols-ish (something that would change when Shelley took over singing lead), and, therefore, a tad more ominous."

Buzzcocks - Time's Up

Hellhammer - Apocalyptic Raids

What can I say about Hellhammer? Well, it's Tom G. Warrior's pre-Celtic Frost band. The sound is raw NWOBHM. This is a good glimpse of Tom's early influences. Love this record!

Hellhammer - Apocalyptic Raids

Terrorizer - Draker Days Ahead

Here's the 2006 release from the grindcore pioneers Terrorizer. Their first album (World Downfall) was an awesome record that everybody must have. After the release of the debut album, they went their separate ways, Jesse Pintado played with Napalm Death while the others like Pete Sandoval formed Morbid Angel.

2006 saw the return of Terrorizer but only Jesse and Pete were the original members and they were joined by Tony Norman of Norman of Morbid Angel on bass and Anthony Rezhawk (Resistant Culture) on vocals. Their music is more death metal than grind.

I'm really a fan of death metal but I still give this a listen from time to time since its Terrorizer!

Terrorizer - Darker Days Ahead

Eskapo

Eskapo is an All-Filipino hardcore band from California. Eskapo is a Tagalog slang for escape and according to their MySpace site, refugee, which I totally disagree. Butenough about that, what's important is their music. Kalayaan (Independence or Liberation), their debut album is a great one and hasn't left my stereo. This is a great release from a great band. Their songs are fast and hard with a hint of melody here and there which is not a bad thing if you ask me.

Wind of Hell, their second album, saw their guitarist Bruce Webb succumb to the Big C. He's still in his early twenties. And this record is a total kick ass and replete of radio-friendlyness, just an all out balls-to-the-walls music which we all love. Download them and if you find their CDs buy them and support the band. Enjoy!!!

Eskapo - Kalayaan

Eskapo - Wind of Hell

Sisters of Mercy

Just to keep things interesting, I give you Sisters of Mercy. A double post if you may. First up is their debut album, First and Last and Always which spawned the hit (especially here in the Philippines) Walk Away. Sisters of Mercy played goth music with metallic tendencies and a dash of dance beats on the side. Sadly, about two years after it's release, Guitarist Gary Marx left and formed Ghost Dance while Wayne Hussey and Craig Adams formed the Mission.



Next up is their collection of their three major label releases, A Slight Case of Overbombing. This is a very good release and it includes classics such as This Corrosion, Dominion, Temple of Love, Walk Away and my personal fave Lucretia My Reflection (the bassline on this one is awesome and I can't get it out of my head, as if it's branded in my brain or something).

Sisters of Mercy - First & Last & Always


Sisters of Mercy - A Slight Case of Overbombing (Greatest Hits Vol. 1)

Selecter - Too Much Pressure

After a black metal and doom metal post, it's time for a change up. This is, in my opinion, the best ska band in the world - The Selecter. This is their debut album which includes my personal favorites Three Minute Hero, On My Radio and of course the title track. If you missed it out the first time, here's your chance. Come and get it, you won't be disappointed!


The Selecter - Too Much Pressure

St. Vitus - Heavier Than Thou

Another metal post, this time the Doom Metal outfit St. Vitus. I'm feeling very lazy (as always) so here's what All Music Guide has to say about Heavier Than Thou - "Thoroughly ignored outside the deepest heavy metal underground throughout their long career, Saint Vitus only later received some recognition for their crucial influence over the late-'90s/early-2000s doom/stoner metal scene. In fact, it could be argued that Vitus followers such as Sleep and Electric Wizard pretty much learned all their lessons from Heavier Than Thou -- a 14-track collection of Vitus' glory years with SST Records. Starting with the band's magnum opus, Born Too Late (which is wisely included almost in its entirety), and working its way back toward their eponymous Scott Reagers-fronted debut, the listener is given a reverse look at the band's evolution from lo-fi Sabbath enthusiasts ("White Magic/Black Magic," "War Is Our Destiny") to a pile-driving riff machine ("Look Behind You," "Bitter Truth") behind ex-Obsessed vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich. Not that the band ever forgot how to grind away at a snail's pace, as they dive headlong into miserably turgid tales of drug abuse like "Dying Inside" and "Shooting Gallery," then veer into comedic acid trips ("I see flowers everywhere...I have things living in my hair") on the classic "Clear Windowpane." And considering that none of the other important '80s doomsters -- Trouble, the Obsessed, and Pentagram -- possess career retrospectives, Heavier Than Thou becomes even more important as a document, and a perfect starting point."

St. Vitus - Heavier Than Thou

Venom - In Memorium

This is a compilation released in 1995, which chronicles Venom's seminal early days, when their hellaciously distorted speed blasts determined the basic elements of thrash metal virtually single-handedly, but also their latter-day, not-so-good releases. Enjoy!

Venom - In Memorium

Severed Head of State / Scum Noise - Live

Sorry folks, my scanner is acting strange as of late, so instead of a scan of the cover, I just took photos of the front, inlay and back covers (at least, I included the inlay and back covers). Being lazy and all, I didn't even trim the background. I took the pictures inside Tommy's crib (that's his comforter in the background).

Some info on the record, SHOS set was recorded at the Ungdomshuset, Uppsala, Sweden on May 24, 2003. While Scum Noise's set was during "1 (degree) Ato De extrema Glorificado Ao Underground Festival" at Machado/MG - Brazil in last October 4, 2003. Scum Noise did a very good cover of Driller Killer's Alcoholocaust.

Enjoy!

SHOS/Scum Noise - Live

Soft Boys - 1976-81

The Soft Boys was formed in 1976, though their sound is very unlike punk in more ways than one. They still adhere to the three-chord tricks of punk but their sound is more akin to psychedelic/folk rock vein. But that would change in their latter releases where they switch to guitar power pop, where they gained their notoriety. They were cited by such bands like the Replacements and REM and a slew of paisley rock bands as one their influences. The band disbanded and Robyn Hitchcock formed the Egyptians and continued his power pop journey.

Anyways, I love the band's music, which is somewhat of an escape for me from all the "noise", haha. As if I can live without that "noise" for long. So here's their compilation simply titled 1976-81. Enjoy!

Soft Boys - 1976-81
Disc 1

Disc 2

English Dogs - Mad Punx & English Dogs

This band needs no introduction, so go ahead knock yourself out!

English Dogs - Mad Punx & English Dogs

The Young & the Useless - Real Men Don't Floss

The Young and the Useless is best known for their sought after Real Men Don't Floss e.p. which was put out on Dave Parsons' Ratcage Records label back in late 1982. The group original featured Adam Horovitz, Adam Trese, Arthur Africano, and David Scilken who all rehearsed in Abby Stoddard's basement. The best known member of the group is Adam Horovitz, who went on to join the Beastie Boys in December 1983 when he filled the vacancy created by the absence of guitarist John Berry. At this point, Adam Horovitz was concurrently playing in both groups. Yet, following the unexpected success of the Cooky Puss album, the Beastie Boys began playing more shows thus drawing Horovitz’s time away from the Young and the Useless. Sadly, by late 1984 the Young and the Useless had slowly fallen apart. On October 28th, 1984 they played what was perhaps their last gig at CBGB’s club in New York. In about 18 months time, the Young and the Useless had gone from being regulars at CBGB's to performing only on rare occasion.

The Young & The Useless - Real Men Don't Floss

Rollins Band - Hard Volume

Rollins Band, the hard-hitting band from the former Black Flag front man Henry Rollins. Here is their first three releases, starting from Life Time, Do It and Hard Volume.

Rollins Band - Hard Volume

Rollins Band - Do It

Rollins Band - Do It