Witch Jail "Slimewave, USA!" Too Much Rock 2017

Witch Jail "Slimewave, USA!" Too Much Rock 2017 CAT #TMR SS 006

Just received this 7" and the festivities are already on for the release. The single is available to listen to at the Pitch website linked below. Mills Records already hosted a show and single release party, the b-side, Alien Sex Fiend's, "My Brain is in the Cupboard (Above the Kitchen Sink)" has premiered on KKFI. But, still to come is a 2/18 show at the The Brick in KC and a Lawrence-area release show yet to be announced.

Can't discuss any of the band's history, because I don't know it, but they're a KC band that's put together an outsider retro-rock sound. Their name is great and they use stage names like Guy Slimey and Suzy Bones. Slimey's vocals owe a lot to the 80s underground as they seem to fall between Jello Biafra's snotty affliction and the white-guy soul screaming of James White or James Chance (depending on what album you have). Everything about them, though, is super cool. Again, the name is great, the original track title is fantastic, the artwork is ultra-cool.

Their sound draws from a host of forgotten scenes, there's been a garage revival, a rockabilly revival, surf revival and even a lounge revival, All of which took the respective original scenes and amplified the best aspects. Witch Jail just kind of takes that same idea and combines all the scenes to spit it out in loud, yelping, punk attitude. You can't pin them on just one thing, but, the most unyielding influence seems to be the pyschobilly scene of the 80', something I thought was long forgotten. It's nice to hear it again, especially when it's thrown in a mix of other great ideas and not dependent on a sole rockabilly formula.

The band's cover track, as selected by Too Much Rock, is an Alien Sex Fiend song previously mentioned. What's great is that if no one ever told you the song was once a track from the noisy 80's industrial scene, you'd never know. As discussed in the linked Pitch article below, Witch Jail just took the lyrics and did their own thing.

Listen to Slimewave, USA!

Hipshot Killer All The Hell In The World B/W Sky Flying By Too Much Rock 2016

Hipshot Killer All The Hell In The World B/W Sky Flying By Too Much Rock 2016 CAT #No 005

Hipshot Killer is a three piece punk band drawing heavily from the dirtier side of late-70's power-pop. The band has been performing since 2009, but LONG before that band members Mike Alexander and Chris Wagner were in the The Revolvers together, In addition, Wagner and a one-time Hipshot Killer drummer were in The Breakups.  These guys are old now and probably have kids and stuff. Those bands were 20 years ago. But, to their credit, the years look good on them, they've gotten a wiser, they've grown out of simplicity of old Descendants records and stretched out musically. They still wear Chuck Taylors, though. Seriously, drop that, you'll be confused for a Kelly Clarkson fan.

Even in their Chucks, they're a bit tougher and got some power-pop hooks to go along with their punk rock chords. They've released a full length and this new 7" represents the 5th in a series of singles put out by Too Much Rock. As stated previously, Sid at Too Much Rock puts out the singles provided the band does a song of his choosing. The band gets all benefits and the records, Sid just helps out local music. For this release, Hipshot Killer was given the early 90's proto-emo song, Sky Flying By" by Samiam. For Hipshot Killer, it's an easy task and they remain true to the original track which was likely a song that influenced the Breakups way back when.

The original tune by the band, "All The Hell in the World," wins the award for best song title of the year. It's got 90's teenage angst, but finds adulthood in the end. The track builds up with guitars until it blows up into a singalong, but the lyrics have a lot more in common with a Bruce Springsteen song than the typical 'damn the man' punk-rock anthem.

The single will be released 10/21 at local record stores. The band will be performing live 10/22 at Mills Records and again on 10/25 at Davey's Uptown. A Lawrence show is in the works. If you search you can find a stream of "All The Hell in the World", but the B-side is off limits unless you happen upon on it on the radio or buy the single.

https://hipshotkiller.bandcamp.com/
Check out the A-Side

The Uncouth! KC United B/W Gudbuy T' Jane Too Much Rock 2015

The Uncouth! KC United B/W Gudbuy T' Jane Too Much Rock 2015 CAT# TMR-SS-04

I was stalking the Too Much Rock for a considerable amount of time trying to get more info on the next release, because it's one thing I actually like. Totally punk rock, dude just makes records for a band to do whatever with. After a while, I gave up, thinking the idea of basically giving away 7"s isn't a sound business plan and Too Much Rock had gave up after 3 releases.

I stole this pic from the band's Facebook page...jerkmove.
An updated review to follow once I have the release.

But, just when I go to sleep on it, Sid Sowder woke me up to advise about release #4. The featured band is the Uncouth! who've been playing their working class Oi! around town for the last few years. They look pretty mean; like soccer hooligans. They play pretty mean, too. The band's own cut is titled "KC United," which you know, is another unity song, this one calling for KC's punks and skins (the working class skins and not the neo-Nazi variety). The flip side is a cover of "Gudbuy T'Jane" by Slade. It's not as pretty as Slade, though. However, listening to it knocks out a front teeth and they kept the hooks, y'know, cause punks like chanting a chorus.

I've been listening to the tracks and it's good, but I haven't got my hands on the vinyl. It's street date is set for May 15th and a release party will be held at Mills Records. 500 are pressed and ready, 100 will be random colors, the other 400 standard black.

                                                                         ***UPDATED***

Got my own copy of this from Too Much Rock and glad to have it. Much better fidelity than the internet stream I was enjoying last week. It appears most of the colored variants are being sold at Teenage Heart Distro, but again, release party as far as I know is set for May 15th, 2015 at Mills Records.

I'm really digging the cover of Slade's "Gudbye T'Jane," the "KC United" track is fine (a little obvious, again, every punk scene needs a Unity song), but I love that this band has the chops to do some guitar solos, yet manage to keep things punk rock. You can tell by the photo, these aren't kids kicking around in boots, these guys won't get carded for the cigarettes they're smoking.

The Uncouth! on Facebook

Josh Berwanger Oh Bis! B/W Back of My Hand Too Much Rock 2014

Josh Berwanger Oh Bis! B/W Back of My Hand Too Much Rock 2014 CAT# 003

The transformation is complete.  Josh Berwanger has gone form Blue Valley teenage hipster, to emo heartthrob, to retro rocker, to a power pop craftsmen.  This is the third in Sid Sowder's Too Much Rock series and will be released on June 3rd, 2014.  There will be a party June 5th, 2014 at Mills Records in Westport.  You should go.  I'm probably not gonna go...don't want to be the weird, old, fat belly, looking awkward and shit.

So yeah, Berwanger's power pop stick is growing on me.  Moments on his solo LP are brilliant, but the LP wasn't completely drenched in big hooks and jangly guitars.  His original tune on this 7", "Oh Bis!", is nothing but power pop, clocking under 3 minutes of actual song before Berwanger goes into a short roller-hockey story about the song's title.  There's woo-hooing, oohhs and aahhs on the chorus, and it's about getting the girl.  It's so power pop it comes off a bit formulaic, but, all is forgiven since Cheap Trick stopped writing good songs in the 80's and the most great power pop groups disbanded prior to the end of the 1970's.

As with all releases in the series, Too Much Rock selects a song to cover on the flip side.  Berwanger gets the Jags "Back of My Hand", which is an obscure track to most Stateside, but was a hit in the band's home of England.  Berwanger's version is solid.  The Jags were a little too clean and sharp versus American bands of the same era like the Nerves or the Real Kids.  I had an issue with the singer's affliction and the band's slick production.  Berwanger's breathy vocals and hurried production do the song a favor.  Also, love the use of female backing vocals rather than dual tracking dude's vocals to perfection (kind of the auto-tune of it's time wasn't it?).  Further, big fan of the acoustic guitar break, it's a nice touch.

Oh, and I'm not going to talk about the cover...I don't get it, but whatever, I guess it's supposed to be funny?

UPDATE: Apparently there is a limited run of color variants that will be available for this release, my guess would be at Mills Records show.  109 colored 7"s in blue, green, purple and what appears to be a Coke Bottle clear.  Also, the cover I don't get...  It's done by Jay Shaw, an artist who does alternate movie posters...I get it now.

Check out the Tune, Too Much Rock.com

Rev Gusto S/T Single Too Much Rock 2014

Rev Gusto S/T Single Too Much Rock 2014 CAT#002

*****

Sid Sowder's absolutely selfless Too Much Rock singles series continues!  This edition features Kansas City's Rev Gusto.  I just got a copy of this and wanted to share the news...It will be available tomorrow (4/19/2014) for purchase at Vinyl Renaissance, Mills Records and Love Garden as part of the Record Store Day celebration.  After that, you'll probably be able to find it for a little while depending on what the band does with their singles.  Just saying, if you're out at any of those stores, pick up a copy, support local, it's rad.  Actual blog post to follow.

*****

Again, I'd like to express how truly selfless and awesome this singles series is.  Too Much Rock selects an artist to release a single, the first side is the band's and the flip side is a cover selected by Too Much Rock for the band to do.  Too Much Rock then puts the single together and without making back a dime gives the release to the band.  The local scene wins because a local band gets a release and some cash, fans of vinyl win because they get a rare disc and something by a great band.  The only one that losses is Sid Sowder of Too Much Rock...Selfless.  This release will be sold at three area record stores on Record Store Day, I imagine to get the word out on the series locally (this is only #2, #1 was this), but I'm going to bet all proceeds from Record Store Day are going right back to Rev Gusto.  I mean I even tried to pay Sid for this release and got no response.  Then, when he said he'd send a copy for review to a few local music sites, I even asked to pay shipping (I mean, who in their right mind is willing to take such a big hit, I'm all about helping, y'know?) and again was met with no response, just a package in the mail containing the single.

As for the music, this is Rev Gusto's first physical release.  They will likely hold onto many of their copies for sale at shows, so after RSD, may have to pay cover to find a copy.  My understanding is that 500 copies of the 7" are put out, so it's pretty rare.  The band formed in high school and most them are fresh out, not yet old enough to partake in alcohol served at the bars they perform at.  They're being labeled somewhere between power-pop and garage rock, truthfully, they're a bit too proficient to be garage rockers, but their sound is pretty raw.  They've been performing a lot locally, did a show for Middle of the Map Fest and even did a big-timer show at South by Southwest.  Overall, the kids seem to like the band's lazy power-pop.

The band's song on this release, "Still There," is drenched in feedback and choppy guitars.  The vocals strain and come off a bit forced at time, just trying to sound a little cooler than they need to.  You definitely hear where the power pop tag is coming from, but again, the tune is so drenched in guitar and distortion, it's hard for me to make that kind of leap.  

For the B-side the song "Local Girls" by Graham Parker was selected for the band.  What they did

with it is fucking brilliant.  I used to host a power-pop show on KJHK and spun both US acts and the British pub rock.  Fans of the pub rock scene swear by Parker's "Squeezing out Sparks" album, but outside the song "Local Girls," I found the album pretty boring (the rest of his catalog even more so) and even before I'd spin this track, I'd opt for Costello, Nick Lowe, Squeeze or even Joe Jackson.  It's not as if the band does anything radical to Parker's tune, in fact, it's true to form and they're able to keep the jitters and nervous energy.  The thing I like about Rev Gusto's version is that the attributes of the song fit a bunch of 19 year old kids better than they did Parker.  I always felt Parker was kind of a hack, just an old talented dude copping on the new sound.  Rev Gusto put their fuzz on top of the track and the lazy power pop sound they've developed as a band and it works; solid cover.

Rev Gusto Website

Big Timers on the News

Schwervon! Landlocked b/w Off Duty Trip Too Much Rock 2013

Schwervon! Landlocked b/w Off Duty Trip Too Much Rock 2013 CAT# 001

This 7" represents the best idea in local music of the year, if not ever.  Too Much Rock is a blog run by Sid Sowder who used to put out releases under the label Urinine.  His idea with this 7" series is unique.  He will select a local artist to record, he allows them one side for their own tune and he/his website picks a cover tune for the band to do.  He puts up the funds for the release, but doesn't recoup anything, the band gets the singles to sell.  Label loses, but the website gets to pick a cover tune.  Each single will be limited to only 500 and not be announced until they are being held in Sid Sowder's hands and ready for release.  Neat-O.

The band Schwervon! upon first glance doesn't seem all that local.  The male/female duo only recently came to KC from New York.  However, Matt Roth is from the area originally and gigged in local bands prior to moving to NYC.  He and his female counterpart, Nan Turner, have been self releasing under the moniker Schwervon! for some time.

The band's tune,"Landlocked", is tiny at just over two minutes.  Seeing how it's just a male/female duo and they cover the Raincoats on the B-Side, I'd like to call it twee-pop, but with all the guitar riffing, you can't call it that.  They chant the vocals and have a hip-hop breakdown, plus they even find time for a garage riff-tastic solo.  It's solid.  The Raincoats cover is, "Off Duty Trip," from the Raincoats debut album.  Schwervon! do a do a fine job with it, kind of hard tune to screw up.  They certainly make it less dissonant and punk than the Raincoats, this is a very pop-oriented cover (probably because Schwervon! are better musicians, it's hard to fake amateur-ness), and the "Professional" chant part in the song, Schervon! nail it.

Best apart about the release though, is the cover.  Man, I love this cover.  It's got this nifty little map drawing of Kansas from KC to Junction City, it shows these crude landmark drawings and now I want to visit things like the John Brown Memorial and William Allen White Memorial.

Schwervon! A Tune not on this 7"
Too Much Rock Blog and Website where you should go and buy this so they'll put out more.