SLASH ATTACK

Strange Image right???? Three guys in silly masks holding knives?

I was listening to a podcast the other day. This weird song came on. It was called “Little Fang.” What a trip!

Some questions came to mind.

Who is Avey Tare?

His real name is David Michael Portner. But he is an Avant Garde musician and founding member of the band ANIMAL COLLECTIVE. That band is definitely experimental and psychedelic and whose roots are from Baltimore. The lineup is not consistent but Noah Lennox, of another band called PANDA BEAR, has been on all of the ANIMAL COLLECTIVE releases. They’re on an Independent record label called Paw Tracks in Los Angeles. Lots of random contributions from a bunch of people create this wild sound.

But now….what is a SLASHER FLICK?

This is a breed of horror and thriller films that contain psycho killers hunting and murdering several innocent victims in a rather dramatic and violent style. Knifes, axes and even chainsaws are destructive weapons designed to chop them up! The killers love those tools. Slasher films involve splatters and are unique with their own cheesy and campy styles.

The final question remains…….What the heck is Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks???

This is an indie-rock supergroup formed by the aforementioned David Portner with 2 different people. Angel Deradoorian and Jeremy Hymn make their presence known on this spooky, bizarre and free jazz style of experimental music. Angel provides creative and strange vocals and guitar styles and Jeremy pounds the drums while our hero David sings and plays the guitars as well.

This is sort of a pure pop moment that was unexpected to enter the ears of my brain recently. It clanks and rattles. The bass is bobbling around. Those vocals are screeching, pretty like groovy disco and almost annoying ( on purpose). Something that could resemble an acid trip.

Slasher Flicks (the band) is a really cool trio of terrorizing music that is set to come out in April. It has a minimal feel with complicated drumming and crisp guitar noises. Ultimately it is organized chaos!

I cannot wait to pickup this strange but awesome sounding LP entitled, “Enter The Slasher House.”

Here is the complete audio of that track, little fang:

Some Punk Junk For Your Listening Pleasure!!!!

What is punk? Why have a playlist about punk music? Well let me tell you. Bands from Europe and the U.S, in the late 60’s and early 70’s created this fast, edgy music. It appealed to teenagers. When you hate your job. Hate society! Drop out of school. Or you HATE your parents because they SUCK! Then punk is what this music provides solace for. They were mostly short 1-2 minute songs, stripped-down guitars and drums, and many times political jams. Punk rock was very much anti-social and rebellious in nature. So this kind of music can provide a great escape and an outlet for hostility.  When I am frustrated I listen to groups like Bad Brains, Black a Flag and Minutemen to get me through the dull and miserable times. It’s wild music man! Mosh pits and crowd surfing were born because of this style.

I put together this punk playlist because i feel it covers a nice collection of these rough and loud guitar-driven songs. Some with screaming vocals. Others contain dialogue about being sent to an institution. Remember that the 80’s became mostly hardcore music but not Heavy Metal. It took PUNK to a new level really. Metal is another story altogether. Punk is really in a “left of the dial” category. Mainstream music generally is NOT punk.  If you want to know more about a particular band. Just ask me and I will point you in the right direction. So check out the playlist and give these tracks a sample. So many bands to choose from….too many songs! These are 25 really good ones!!! Let your ears do the judging. Peace out and “Rise Above!”

1. Blitzkrieg Bop by the Ramones
2. Kick Out the Jams by MC5
3. Holiday In Cambodia by the Dead Kennedys
4. London Calling from The Clash
5. Search and Destroy from The Stooges
6. Anarchy in the UK presented by The Sex Pistols
7. Where Eagles Dare executed by The Misfits
8. & 9. This Ain’t No Picnic and #1 Hit Song by the Minutemen
10. Straight Edge By Minor Threat
11. & 12. Rise Above & Six Pack by Black Flag
13. & 14. Pay to Cum & At The Movies by Bad Brains
15. Suspect Device by Stiff Little Fingers
16. Punk Rock Girl The Dead Milkmen
17. Teen Age Riot Sonic Youth
18. Celebrated Summer Husker Dü
19. Institutionalized from Suicidal Tendencies
20. Hank’s Little Fingers by Guided By Voices
21. Aurora Borealis. by Meat Puppets
22. We by The Descendants
23. I Will Dare by The Replacements
24. Little Fury Things by Dinosaur Jr
25. That’s When I Reach For My Revolver by Mission of Burma

Playlist For February

Or better known as, a mix of songs that represent being in love, out of love or just surrendering to the mood of this month. Valentines Day is certainly a widely celebrated holiday every year with chocolate, roses, wine, movies, kisses and MUSIC! It occurs right in the middle too so this day is surrounded by love and the lack of it. People fall in love and breakup too. Or there are plenty of people (I used to be one of them) who hate this month because greetings cards remind them how much love can stink. But I think in general, its a good month. It can be cold and snowy for sure but it also reminds us that we’re halfway through winter and Spring is just around the corner.

So I have a playlist that depicts many emotions that I display this month. I sympathize for friends, family, my wife and for myself. I feel love and gratitude and that mystery of the tremendous feeling of love that extends way beyond puppy love and crushes. Brotherly love, amazing friendships and being alive. Enough babble. Here it is:

1. Slide by The Goo Goo Dolls
The guitar strumming and romantic lyrics are lively and upbeat. Though it may seem strange that this song’s words are actually about a young couple thinking about an abortion. But it’s still good.

2.Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
this really is a sweet song

3. It’s True That We Love One Another The White Stripes
Here we get a snippet of the relationship between Jack White and his drummer, Meg. The mood of the song is whimsical with Jack, Meg and a British singer named Holly Golightly taking turns with childish punches.

4. Maps Yeah Yeah Years
Highly emotional song from Karen O and the gang

5. Linger The Cranberries
(see a previous “feature review” of this song here at my blog)

6. Sometimes My Bloody Valentine
(a classic song from a stupendous album)

7. Please, Please, Please Let Me The Smiths
Captivating and haunting, this is a classic Smiths track

8. Anyone Else But You The Moldy Peaches
Quirky, cute, simple and romantic, this duet always finds a way into your head. “Anyone Else But You” was also covered by Michael Cera And Ellen Page in the 2007 hit film Juno.

9. Crazy Love Van Morrison
you gotta love Van

10. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
perhaps this artists greatest tune ever

11. Head Over Feet Alanis Morissette
While she is usually spitting on men who have damaged her throughout this album, she takes a turn on this song. However, she still manages to say, “It’s all your fault.” Such Classic Alanis.

12. Son Of A Preacher Man Dusty Springfield
I always loved her voice and this song

13. Saw Red Sublime
This song was released in 1994 before Sublime or No Doubt were known by much of anyone outside of the Southern Cal. music scene. Lead singer Brad Nowell dated Gwen Stefani for a time before making this song.

14. I Hate The Way You Love The Kills
Distorted guitar and anti-Valentine’s Day lyrics,
this song is a perfect representation of a typical Kills song.

15. All I Want Is You Barry Louis Polisar
As soon as you get past the cheesiness of this song, featured on the “Juno” soundtrack, you realize it’s just great feel good music. It also kind of makes you want to square dance.

16. My Girl THE TEMPTATIONS
makes me smile and want to dance as well

17. These Arms Of Mine Otis Redding
powerfully moving song

18. Pictures Of You The Cure
this was an intensely fine moment for Robert Smith

19. Everlong Foo Fighters
heart and soul man

20. The Scientist Coldplay
The dense combination of Chris Martin’s voice and simplistic piano tempo makes “The Scientist” one of the band’s greatest ballads and one of the greatest ballads in general, maybe.

peace out c-note