Chokehold @ New Bedford

Posting live sets from punk and hardcore bands is a bit problematic. After all, the combination of shitty venues, bad equipment, and general stage mayhem isn't really conducive to creating an enjoyable audio listening experience. It's all about the participation and visual experience. That's why the scenesters post up around the stage with their videocameras.

Chokehold is interesting to think about, for while they were my favorite band of the mid 90s sXe era (or was it Unbroken?), I'm not sure their sound has survived the test of time. Ugh. The guitar sound. What were they thinking? Go ahead. Break open those boxes of 7"s from your '92-'96 collection. Take a good listen. What were we all thinking?

Nonetheless, I'm posting Chokehold's final show. March of 1996 from the New Bedford Hardcore Fest (for the geographically impaired, that's in Massachusetts). The sound of this is actually really good. Dare I say better than most of their studio stuff? It's not a stretch. They were always plagued with poor sounding recordings. If you don't know anything about the band, go here. And know this, "Burning Bridges" is what inspired me to become a teacher. And my last stage dive was at a Chokehold show in Albany, NY- just a couple of months before this closing chapter of hardcore lore.

Click here!

thelittlestillnotbigenough

Come on out and support local art and music! I'm assuming it's an all ages affair, a slight miracle for Humboldt County. Perhaps this gallery will be doing more music?

Hunter Plaid Gallery
550 South G Street
Arcata, CA

thelittlestillnotbigenough

Pretty Hemp Princess

Electric Wizard - The Processean

If it's one band I count on for relative consistency, it's Electric Wizard. Sure, they've had a couple of wobbly moments (Let us Prey?), but for the most part I've been able to hang in there with all of their efforts. And to tell you the truth, I've found myself spinning Let us Prey more often in recent months- so I may be ultimately changing my view on that album. Anyways, the band played last month at Rise Above's 2oth anniversary show in London. To commemorate the event a one song single sided 12" titled The Processean was made available. And yeah, of course, it was limited to 500 copies. No one has posted a direct vinyl rip as of yet, but a radio stream has surfaced on a few blogs, and that's what I've posted here.

There have been a number of negative criticisms of the track, as it's more of a rolling thundering ambient drone than a traditionally structured Electric Wizard song. And while it's disappointing to only get ten minutes of sonic meandering, it at least suggests that we may get a follow up to Witchcult Today relatively soon (for Electric Wizard, at least). I'm sure that this track when placed in proper context will stand much stronger than it does now in isolation. At least I hope so, for consistency's sake.

I've packaged the file with "The House on the Borderland" from the Reverend Bizarre split in case anyone needs it.

Click here!

Uhhh...

This is terrible. Dare I say worse than dealing with those who ironically listen to metal? Click the picture and you decide.

Remember some years ago when hardline activists tried to firebomb Deicide while the band was touring Europe? If you're in Oakland tonight or San Francisco tomorrow night, do me a favor...

Hawkwind 7" Trilogy

This past November Trensmat released a three record set of Hawkwind covers performed by Acid Mothers Temple and the Cosmic Inferno, White Hills, Kinski, Bardo Pond, Mugstar, and Mudhoney. If you dig dilligently through the 7"s at Amoeba or do some careful interweb searching, you may be able to find some copies, for as you have certainly already surmised, the pressing is somewhat limited and in some demand.

I can't say too much about the tracks. They're admirably performed, and I don't think Hawkwind fans will think any injustice has been served. Just imagine what each band sounds like and then imagine them playing Hawkwind tunes, and you'll pretty much get the picture. Bardo Pond is most impressive with their version of "Lord of Light." My biggest gripe with the collection is that it is pressed on some low quality thin vinyl. Hopefully these songs will become otherwise available.

Perhaps the recent wave of Hawkwind interest will lead to some US appearances?

Acid Mothers Temple- "Brainstorm"
White Hills- "Be Yourself"
Bardo Pond- "Lords of Light"
Kinski- "Masters of the Universe"
Mudhoney- "Urban Guerilla"
Mugstar- "Born to Go"

Edit: Per (kind) request of Transmat I have pulled this download. They assure me the records can still be found in various shops. I certainly have no interests in stepping on the toes of an indie label. If you have questions, email me.

Om @ Knitting Factory

Last year I posted an Om set dated March 19, 2005 that was recorded at the Knitting Factory. The file expired, and I lost a hard drive in the meantime, leaving me without a copy to repost, as a few people have requested. If any one has a copy or link, please let me know.

In the meantime, here is another Om set from the Knitting Factory from April 29, 2006. Enjoy.

Click here!

Wooden Shjips - Vampire Blues

I got lots of new toys during the holiday season, one of them being the iMic I bought for myself. My first recording attempt has been the recent Wooden Shjips Vampire Blues 7" that briefly appeared in November (limited to 500?) on Sick Thirst. "Vampire Blues" is a Neil Young cover (that was also part of their recent ATP set). The other is an original titled "I Hear the Vibrations." If you have any issues opening/converting the files, let me know.

Click here!

Brightblack Morning Light and Daniel Higgs in Arcata

Back in town just in time for this: Brightblack Morning Light and Daniel Higgs. Very excited. Brightblack came through a couple of months ago, but I missed them and have been kicking myself since. I'm hoping for some whacked out jams from Higgs and his banjo. Should be an interesting night. Think I'll pass on the band's request to bring crystals to the show. Hippies.

Monday January 12, 2009 @ Humboldt Brews in Arcata 21+/10pm

Check out Mr. Interdimensional Song-Seamstress and Corpse-Dancer of the Mystic Crags himself:

Ancestors and Night Horse @ Aunty Mo's

If this show is any indication, I would say live music in Humboldt County is looking pretty good in 2009. Ancestors crush. Think Sleep and Neurosis. Night Horse rocks. Think Sir Lord Baltimore and ZZ Top. Both bands have new stuff out on Tee Pee. thirtythreeandathird opens. I'm bummed not to be there, but New Years in the desert is also a good time.

New Year!

Ahhh. Finally, a moment to relax and get some posts going again. I've got lots of promises to keep and reposts to get done in this new year. I have a pile of live stuff to listen to and upload. Records to buy. Counterfeit bills to print. And a little thing called a thesis to contemplate and write. Such is life.

If you're curious as to what made my ten most significant releases of 2008, check out the North Coast Journal. If you're not interested, I can relate. After all, who the hell am I?