Archive for March, 2009

A few days ago I received a familiar looking package from Frontier Records. I knew it would contain some new colored vinyl goodness but I had no idea which ones it would be. I opened the package like a kid opening a christmas present and found three shiny new records inside. One an all time punk rock classic and the other two something Elliot Smith fans would find of great interest.

Circle Jerks – Group Sex on opaque blue vinyl

I think this color of the Circle Jerks legendary debut LP is one of my favorites. I’ve always been fond of opaque blue with white marbling, in fact the first release I did on my own label was on this very color!

Heatmiser – Cop and Speeder LP on translucent purple vinyl

Heatmiser – Yellow No. 5 10″ on translucent purple vinyl

Elliot Smith fans likely know that he was in the band Heatmiser before they disbanded and he went on to a successful solo career. Now you can get a matching pair of them on grape colored vinyl!

All three of these limited edition color vinyl platters can be ordered directly from the Frontier Records website where you’ll likely get them cheaper than some stores and they’ll arrive at your doorstep rather quickly too. If you head over there, tell them MXV sent you. Many thanks as always to them for sending these over.

Along with the D.I. reissues mentioned recently, Nickel and Dime Records have a couple new vinyl releases out as well from new artists.

Los Difuntos – Born and Raised in East L.A. LP

Los Difuntos is a relatively new mid-tempo punk/psychobilly band from Southern California. This was released on CD late last year and now is available on limited edition clear vinyl. This band is pretty enjoyable and I can see how they could develop quite a following if they tour. Check out the band’s music here.

Plan 9 – Manmade Monster LP

It seems fitting that a band totally inspired by the music and image of The Misfits would released a limited edition colored vinyl edition of their album. Plan 9 started out as a Misfits tribute band, then they decided to write their own songs which sound more like Misfits songs than that crap Jerry Only has been trying to pass off under that name for the past decade. This guys look and play the part far better than he does. This limited pressing comes on red vinyl. Check out the music of Plan 9 here.

Both of these records are likely available from the usual record sources or you can order them direct from Nickel and Dime Records website.

According to a comment left on this site by his daughter, John Powers, better known as Jonathin Christ from Code of Honor, passed away yesterday from heart failure. John is survived by his three children, the eldest who left the information on this site.

Having lost a parent myself, I can totally relate to what his daughter and her siblings are going through and my condolonces go out to them and the rest of their family. John’s contribution to punk rock has left a lasting impressing on anyone who has heard those old Code of Honor records and he will be missed.

You May Die in the Desert – Bears in the Yukon
The Mylene Sheath

If you have been following my reviews of the releases on this label you can probably guess that this in an instrumental band. The Mylene Sheath must know about nearly every one of these type of bands out there because they sure seem to be scooping up the cream of the crop in this genre.

You May Die in the Desert started out as a two-piece with a drum machine but eventually added a real drummer to the band to help complete their sound. While they can be classified as a post-rock instrumental band, they also take some elements of math rock and standard indie rock and incorporate it into their sound. Each song as a really different feel to it than the one that came before it and the entire record doesn’t sound like one long song, but a collection of unique pieces.

There are a lot of tempo changes going on and their approach is far more subtle, you’d be hard pressed to find any really punchy power chords on this album. Instead you will find some intricate guitar noodling and a pretty meaty bass sound that lays a bed for the rhythm section without becoming overpowering. At times the music can be soothing and uplifting and at others it can be awakening. It seems evident that a lot of time was taken in the crafting of these songs and the result is seven tracks of pretty complex ear candy.

Oddly enough, this is the first CD release I’ve been sent from The Mylene Sheath and sadly they did no vinyl. This was originally released about a year ago on a Japanese label but it is finally available here in the States for the first time. Despite being released on the inferior CD format, this album is well worth picking up for anyone who enjoys this style of music.

The fine ladies over at Frontier Records gave me a copy of the sweet 25th Anniversary Edition Suicidal Tendencies LP. One of you lucky readers can receive a free copy of this album in all its remastered and colored vinyl glory!

The rules to this contest are simple:

1. Limit 1 entry per person, NO EXCEPTIONS. If you enter more than once, you are disqualified.
2. Contest ends on Wednesday March 25th at 11:59pm CST
3. Winner will be chosen randomly and be notified by email after which they will need to provide their shipping address to receive their prize.
4. No purchase necessary

To enter, simply fill out the form below.

Wino – Punctuated Equilibrium CD
Southern Lord Recordings

Wino is the nickname of one Scott Weinrich who has spent the last quarter century creating really heavy music in bands such at Saint Vitus, The Obsessed and The Hidden Hand. The man could practically have invented modern day “stoner rock” and was creating it long before it became as popular as it now seems to be today.

After The Hidden Hand broke up, Wino decided to “go solo” in a way, though he enlisted a couple of people to help him produce the songs the way he wanted them (hence the solo reference) and these gentlemen did time in Clutch and Rezin. The result is ten songs of heavy rock songs in that “stoner rock” vibe. The guitar work is both heavy yet melodic much like your 70s rock acts like Led Zeppelin and especially Black Sabbath. The vocals are sung in a way that is easy to understand and even sing along and while the music is pretty accessible, it is equal parts powerful without being abrasive.  Fans of Wino’s other bands will understand what I’m trying to describe. Some songs branch out into a more psychedelic brand of metal as well (think Monster Magnet) which really keeps things interesting and fresh throughout the entire album.

Listening to Punctuated Equilibrium, it is easy to see how this style of music has become so popular lately and this album is easily worth checking out for long time fans and for those interested in the genre.

Related links:

Buy the CD from amazon

Southern Lord Recordings

Wino on myspace