RUDIMENTARY PENI - Wilfred Owen: "The Chances"

Those who know me well know that RUDIMENTARY PENI is more than a favorite band, but more of a lifelong obsession. Their albums and EPs are not difficult to obtain, but it occurred to me that maybe this little song might be new to many PENI fans. Those of us lucky enough to have grabbed a copy of Nick Blinko's book The Haunted Head several years ago received a couple special treats. The book looks very nice and is...well let's say an "interesting" read, but along with it came a CD containing one new and previously unreleased song and a postcard with a page from the book, hand-written by Blinko himself. The song is pretty weird, and apparently taken from a piece written by Wilfred Owen "about the fortune of five British 'Tommies' during World War I." If you weren't one of the 200 or so successful book owners, here's a chance to check out this song. I've also scanned the hand-written card that came with my book.

WILFRED OWEN: THE CHANCES

AMAZING HUNGARIAN PUNK

Another blog-blast for my tape release of the newest PADKAROSDA album! I've gotten copies into some lovely US distros like Feral Ward, Sorry State, W-Tapes, Velted Regnub, and Discos MMM, but you can still order copies from me for $5 ppd each in the USA, or $2.75 each wholesale for distros/stores. PADKAROSDA is one of the most interesting punk bands around these days - the songs will both challenge you and burrow into your brain! If you're into this blog, you'll dig this! Currently limited to 100 copies, but I'll probably make 50 more copies to bring to Europe with me in September. 

padkarosda.bandcamp.com

TOOLS - #3 EP

Third EP (duh) from this San Francisco punk band. "Asexuality In The 80s" is the obvious hit, though this is a cleaner recording than the version on the SF Underground comp. Guitarist Michael Fox also played in SICK PLEASURE, and SF's greatest, CODE OF HONOR. Great early punk with anti-authoritarian lyrics, sung very clearly, and a persistently dance-able sound. Oh, and fucking raaaaare. 

TOOLS #3 EP

MUSTA ROMANSSI - EP

So few posts lately, I know...low on steam for the blog. But since I'm feeling too tired to go out to see Funeral Cone play an Oakland basement tonight, I'm going to share this interesting Finnish EP with you. I've been hearing a trend of bands from Finland lately that are hardcore, but slip in a KILLING JOKE-esque or dark post-punk song in here and there - namely the awesome MAAILMANLOPPU, but the other day at MRR both the new RIISTETYT and VIVISEKTIO singles had such style represented. Turns out that bands were doing this in the 80s (off the top of my head KAAOS and APPENDIX) and then here's this sole release form MUSTA ROMANSSI. The EP kicks off with dark and droning "Argentiina," before launching into a series of thrashing hardcore tunes. I personally enjoy the first track the most, as much of the other material seems to borrow a little too much from thrash metal. "The Aim OF Religion" even employs the low pitch-shifter on the vocals to add a slightly more evil dynamic. Cheesy? Yeah, but obscure and interesting enough to be on a music blog. And I've almost forgotten the most important aspect of this EP: the cover art! Need more hair + makeup like this in hardcore.

MUSTA ROMANSSI EP

PADKAROSDA tape release!

Against the advise of every punk label runner I've ever talked to, I've gone and started a label. It's called WAKE UP AND LIVE and my first release is out now!

You may have seen me blab about them on this blog in the past, but I'll say it again - Budapest's PADKAROSDA is one of the most exciting and unique sounding bands in punk these days. My sales pitch:

PADKAROSDA is a captivating punk band from Budapest, Hungary. They’ve released 2 digital albums through bandcamp, and this is the cassette release of their second album from 2013. During an era of countless punk/hardcore bands spinning off their own versions of stylistic trends, PADKAROSDA is a unique breath of fresh air. Urgency, passion, darkness, mania, and imagination burn through their sound. It’s a sort of concept album where they paint the picture of a “mysterious city” where the real problems of Hungarian society can be found: violence in the suburbs, disappointment, lethargy… “We describe it from an observer's or an outsider's viewpoint like a vision, but it's usually ambiguous, because it's an ironic enjoyment.” I feel a strong affinity for PADKAROSA’s artistic vision, and I’m eager to spread their exciting brand of punk across the U$A! First pressing of 100 DIY punk copies. Tapes dubbed with a pro duplicator, covers printed by Econo Press. Lyrics printed in Hungarian and translated to English.

Tapes are $5 post-paid in the USA. I'll be in Europe this fall with THE NEW FLESH and will bring some copies with me.

check out both of their brilliant albums here:   padkarosda.bandcamp.com

MRR Radio #1407

Just did my second MRR radio show. Need some background noise? Check it out...

MRR RADIO #1407