...this was once a blog.

It's almost embarrassing how this blog has taken a backseat to nonsense, fantasy/video-game/actual baseball obsessions and other wasted time, a bizarre situation that you can see if you open your eyes, many changes at ground zero, blah blah blah.
Since the last post , our fine city of Buffalo, NY has lost so much of it's music scene in the form of legendary and soon-to-be legendary venues (ask a punk), peak bands either disbanding or lasting mere months, etc.  It's old news.  A tire goes flat, you get a new one and start pumping air back into it.  The mainstays keep it worth living.  In a few short months we will be 5 years old.  Not bad.  We owe it all to YOU and we are grateful to make folks happy while doing what we really love.  Maybe lost a few along the way but make no mistake--we've gained more.  Make no mistake, our heart is in the right place and we aim to support every band, music fan, record label as we have been supported.

Enough of that masqued middle-finger, let's talk about what prompted me to sign in and write this morning after an amazing double feature (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory b/w Pee Wee's Big Adventure).

Perhaps Buffalo's most anticipated full length lp this year came from the adventurous soul punk "pack" that is MALLWALKERS.   I've heard this excellent, talented band led by soul fanatic/dj- Handsome Dan Carosa and Jamie Rowitsch on lead vocals and a serious music machine that includes Stephens' Floyd (bass) and Schmitt (guitar), the towering Andy Dennison on the traps (now replaced by the hard hitting but tender-loving Jordan Nittoli) sometimes unfairly tagged as a "party band" and, with an always growing brass section that is for real, the fact is they have songs--really good ones like "Future Shock" "Going Dowtown" for which they've made videos for.  It's no doubt these songs will be remembered, along with much of this great album, years from now.  But forget about "party band" and any gimmickry the whole visual/art/music that might cross your mind--MALLWALKERS are for real and they've backed up a killer demo tape (released on bass guy Stephen Floyd's DRUG PARTY tape label) with the epic sounding (recorded at Hi-Lo by Matt Smith and touched up by John Angelo) SHAKING THE RUST OFF (Peterwalkee Records).  Right now they are leaving their stain across the midwest in immediate support of this album and the release show which kicked the whole thing off was less "fun" and more "powerful".  And that's a high compliment.  They sounded like a roadworn band just getting back from a blood-drawn roadie.  They hadn't left yet, though.

 Musically, the core of the band is littered with serious players.  Stephen Schmitt delivers some of the most inventive chops around and the rhythm section is nails.  The horn section works so well around that core and toss in two charismatic front-people, and you've got MALLWALKERS.  Both live and on record they deliver and their appeal has broad potential.  They could fascinate people that buy records in malls along with the smelliest punk kid on the block.    See/hear for yourself.  Of course, these will be in stock until Matto runs out of them. 

 BARE MUTANTS crept up on me without warning, often busy chasing down some over-hyped buzz band record whilst blindly ordering whatever it is In The Red Records has released lately (because Larry rarely has an off release, if ever!) and turns out it's a personal favorite that features leader, the towering Jered Gummere (the Ponys, Guilty Pleasures, etc)--also a towering songwriter that has influenced more "popular" yet lesser acts throughout his time slashing guitar for the punk rock Guilty Pleasures and the more restrained, underrated PONYS with whom he really broke out as a fantastic songwriter that entranced punks and indie folk alike for it's honest and driving albums and singles scattered over time.   BARE MUTANTS is pure bliss if you know where I'm going with this.  Might as well get on the bandwagon now because this disc is continued genius songwritng, a pulsing, droning organ soaked affair that brings fuzzy guitar, Gummere's honest vocals/guitar work and willingness to get heavy on an otherwise laid back approach.  It works perfectly.  Hopefully they pass through town because the odds are they really kick ass live.  I've never seen Jared mail in a show even when a local promoter did the last time the PONYS made it here.    Don't say we didn't warn you.  One of the years best, so far. 

 OBLIVIANS are allowed to reunite and play shows and make lots of money wherever it comes from.  Why?  Not because they were the real punk rock of 90s that was overlooked save the garage punk scene and one of the best bands to walk the earth.  No, sir and/or madam.  It's not because they deserve it, it's because they effortlessly put out a new album of all new songs--their first in over a decade--and it stands up as well as anything they have ever done, as if those years and the amazing music they have made or released (Reigning Sound, Jack O., Goner Records respectively) never happened, though thank christ it did.  Don't call it a comeback. 

Australia's contributions to rock and roll, proto-punk, first wave punk (the Saints arguably released the first punk single and were calling out fraudulent punks--disregarding punks fashion and cliche's while blasting out '77 punk that made bands bigger in the UK look silly.  radio Birdman, the Scientists, Nick Cave & the Birthday Party, X, etc).  Right now the Aussie music scene--speareheaded by Eddy Current Suppression Ring that features some of todays best: Total Control, Royal Headache, UV Race, Straightjacket Nation,  etc. 
In the early 70's Lobby Lloyd was at the forfront of a heavy rock band so nasty, they mistakenly were a proto-punk band.  Often called the father of heavy rock in Australia, Lloyd began Coloured Balls in the early 70s, a band that openly influenced AC/DC, Kurt Cobain, and the excellent, if not superior, first wave of punk that happened in Australia.  They call it proto-punk but these guys were just playing the kind of rock and roll that made people want to fight one another.

With so much time between posts, it would be a labor to discuss each one.  New releases like the latest Mountain Goats, Superchunk,  some Bill Fay reissues, new stuff from deathwish, In The Red, reaper, Drag City, Whats Your Rupture?, Sub Pop, Grave Mistake and more represent an impressive influx of critical newly released records, croosh-l re-issues, loads of new used lp's, a few nice, semi-vintage turntables (ready to go with all working parts and priced nicely) for sale are just a few of the  reasons to stroll on in.   We have taken a break on orders for a few weeks, but expect that to pick up.  And if you placed a special order--that will be part of the incoming.  This is just a snippet of whats happened and whats to come. 

                                                        

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories While you can find a few older daft Punk lp's in the used bins, this new 3 piece LP is blowing some minds as this long running french duo had a bit of a critical rebirth (though they've been on the go since their inception) in 2013 with this triple album.  Its been a tough one to keep in stock.            
Burger Records has re-issued one of the last decades great albums--KING TUFF...WAS DEAD.  This 2008 monument was an immediate classic record full of hooks, bowie-esque monets and downright catchy numbers that sounded like nobody else.  King Tuff has finally returned via SUB POP with a fine slf-titled follow-up, but ...WAS DEAD is a modern classic and is finally back in print and potentially back in your IKEA record rack. 

...and about a month later, this post must be wrapped up. we'll tell you all about the new stuff coming in, upcoming events and crap like that--
  last week we had a cool show with the return of The Returners  a touring band that rattled the birds nest--To Tremble and the moghty Failures Union (who recently announced a new lp out soon on paper & Plastick (vinyl) and a video has appeared (look closely for our fine boutique! and team playa Bill Nehill in a cameo)--

That's HTML.  i hope you can see it...it's a great vid and was put together by Smilin' Dave Dluga--awesome fella and member of a plethora of great bands: White Whale, Red Delicious and more.

Keep an eye and ear open for upcoming events: Shows, Our 5 Year Anniversary!, A special zine opening and of course, records, record players, t-shirts, buttons, books, zines and more! 


-anchovies
9.5.13
3:01 a.m.










































































































































































































































































































































































































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16 or 17 Reasons To Attend The Buffalo Decency Rally III

The Buffalo Decency Rally III
Saturday 3 November 2012.  6 pm until ????
at Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle .
informally known as "The Polish Library" which is welcoming ethnic club on Buffalo's east side.
located  at 612 Fillmore.  GPS it, nerd---it's very close to the 33/Kensington Expressway Science Center exit.  $5.

                                                                                                               
                                                                  bands perfoming:

Ancients of Earth, 6pm (upstairs)

Real People, 6:30pm (downstairs)

Wreckage, 7pm (upstairs)

Small Axe, 7:30pm (downstairs)

Beardage, 8pm (upstairs)

   Water Torture, 8:30pm (downstairs)

   Total Overcomers, 9pm (upstairs)

Cages, 9:30pm (downstairs)

    Human Touch, 10pm (upstairs)

Plates, 10:30pm (downstairs)

   Gas Chamber, 11pm (upstairs)

   Returners, 11:30pm (downstairs)

      Jack Topht, midnight (upstairs)

         Mallwalkers, 12:30am (downstairs)

      Malarchuk, 1a.m. (upstairs)     

Curated by the dashing Aaron Weese, the man who unearthed the welcoming AMLADC™ as a music venue.  Used mostly for larger shows due to it's proximity to the city and large space, although the upstairs has a small, stage-less, more intimate space where bands will also be performing giving you little time to grab a drink, go outside for a smoke--or a fantastic bite to eat at the mobile AMY'S PLACE FOOD TRUCK (it's not just for veggie heads, either!) in between.  I've been stalking this truck and have been delighted on each occasion.
The Polish Library is an cool, multi room, separated smoky bar offering a wild selecting of Eastern Bloc Beers and a character not found in many places.  The price is right, they will inevitably run out of it and it packs a punch.  and you can enjoy a Poppe Shoppe™ cream soda after to enhance your hangover or replace the booze with altogether, if that's how you roll.   The club was established in 1895 and is named after a national Polish Poet, activist and political writer.  Active in Poland achieving independence, he wrote Lithuanian folk songs.  Yes, I've read up on the man.

Though i won't be breaking down each band and why you should give them 20 or so minutes of your life, i can tell you that this year is more varied than in years passed and that's no slap in the face of the 2 previous rallies.  Both have been high energy, highly populated all you can eat buffet's of Buffalo bands, mostly of the louder/heavy variety.  Last year, the Rally had to reloacate to the Dnipro Ukranian center, an absolutely beautiful structure with an even more cavernous room.   The sound suffered, but the exception to any accusations this mega-show is one-dimensional was the dramatic Cages filling the enormous room with a voice that needs to be heard to be believed.  This is complex, post-something I am not fit to properly describe, filled the room backed with guitar shards and solemn sounds. Maybe the most challenging act on the bill.  The band has releases on labels in other countries and probably should be witnessed by the discriminating Buffalo music fan.  I wouldn't be surprised if Cages were much more well known outside of the city.  Here is a chance to catch something powerful without power chords. 

Water Torture are two fellas who have been a rhythm section for several years now, musically attached at what's left of their brain cells.  This speaks nothing of their intelligence and more of their approach to life and blasting bass and drums purging self decribed grindcore violence.  They have a new 7", too.   WT have wittled things down to just the two of them (some past projects included first year crowd pleasers, Inerds and a quarter ounce of others).

Gas Chamber plays it darker, and their latest 7" is a well put together package that perfectly exposes the bands leaning towards, dark, unpleasant realities.  They are beyond a band at this point-they are a unit; a pack.  They take what they do very seriously--as it should be, and the result may be too much for some to handle, but they wouldn't have it any other way.  And that's a beautiful thing.   Meanwhile, Mallwalkers boast a expanding horn section (but don't get the wrong idea), a second vocalist (Jamie from the crushing Human Touch who are also playing and have a new 7" on Feral Kid, too) alongside the braintrust of Handsome Dan Carosa and are in it for the fun, but have excelled as they have continued and evolved--especially the inventive guitar work of this soulful punk band that leans toward the fun, the dancing, the getting out of the malls and into the goddamn streets.  Several vinyl and tape releases in and some great press last year, if they can keep the gang together, are poised for bigger things. 

Buffalo's Returners  are among the best bands in town at the moment, a post-punk jugernaut that picks up elements of mark's record collection and, along with familiar bandmate Tony F. on bass (the prolific Dr. Stephen Floyd adding essential left guitar and Renee Roberts on drums) creating some of the best indie rock in the city, hands down.  It wouldn't be pandering or a stretch to say they are among Buffalo's top bands and upcoming releases are highly anticipated.  For now, the demo is what we have to work with.

Perhaps the longest running band on the bill are Buffalo natives Small Axe (they live in the capital district now, i think--though thats off the top of my head and it's 5 a.m.).  This band has been at it, in one incarnation or another, playing garagey, heady psych-stoner rock since the earliest days of the 90s when Asbury Alley was a haven for a social miscreant like myself.  Still going strong and more equally relevant well over a decade later, they will be joined by the young but no less heavy Malarchuk , a heavy duty Sabbathy, driving rock band.  Undoubtedly Malarchuk will be labelled 'stoner', 'doom' 'downer' and whatever people who write about music (oh shit...) grab to in a lazy way of describing heavy rock and roll, done well--but not overcooked. They are a young band but boast a healthy pedigree of d00dz who know what the time is, so to speak.

Equal parts buffalo-rochester punk rock blasters Beardage bring it in your face, and keep it straight forward.  Fronted by Kevin M.--a man who will certainly be brought up years from now (as he is already) as among Buffalo's wildest and best frontmen.   But it ain't just antics here, it's adrenalin rush backed by Adam (fun rochester guy with the banter) and mild and wild Foster bringing the intense riffage. Great songs when so many many bands get the sound right and forget they need hooks to back it up.    You'll also get music from yours truly, via Plates.   And the eccentric rapper Jack Topht, who I've admired since his days playing 3 or 4 instruments at a time in Next Syphilis years ago. 

Curater Weese and his powerhouse drummer Steve K (or is it a C.?) in hibernating Sonorous Gale will be playing as The Total Overcomers who I'll be catching for the first time.  The same can be said for Real People and Wreckage  -- a hardcore band featuring ex-members of Get Back Up and Buried Alive. Both bands have new recordings from 2012 available.  Check out their links.  

And let us not forget the mysterious, quietly crushing sounds of Ancients of Earth .  AoE appeared on Warm Bath Label compilation 7" Buffalo Brutality last year but head towards spacey, sparse, quiet and beautiful instrumentals.  An interesting band captured on tape by Mr. Ski Mask at his fabled and always improving Electric Pumpkin Patch Studio.

Hopefully, the preview was helpful--maybe you already know or maybe you're in a band.  There are certainly some great bands milling around town right now who are NOT playing this show, but here's a chance to catch a good lot of them on one special night at one special place.  Do it.  Adam Mickiewicz would have wanted you to.

Good Morning.
                                                                     
 --sleepy anchovies
   11.3.12
   5:38 a.m.

###

Autumn Incoming, Upcoming and the Usual Blah Blah Blah

It's fall and that's a bittersweet time of the year for me--my favorite season but also a time to remember some lost people who too loved fall or left this world in the fall.  The leaves are blowing inside (sometimes faster than the customers), the neighborhood critters are seeking warmer hangouts and lots of killer music to sooth the pain and prepare us for the inevitable cold.

The last month or so has been littered with some killer shows--some bands we watched "grow up" like thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall (but even their growing audiences haven't changed their attidudes, personalities or great music a bit), some who had grown up and left us only to return for a brief moment ( Hot Snakes earliest lineup passed as close as Toronto and let me say i HATE going to shows in Toronto--mainly the drive home, but the 'Snakes brought their a-game the the Horseshoe on this night and were stunningly great even tossing in an old Drive Like Jehu song towards the end), our own production (seed planted by terminal-boredoms Chuck Barrels) of Nobunny, Apache Dropout, Bad Sports and support from 2 of Buffalo's top acts-Mallwalkers and White Whale.  Memphis' CHEAP TIME made their third (underappreciated) stop through Buffalo in support of their third lp--the killer-pop of 'Wallpaper Music'.  Godspeed You! Black Emperor took a decade to put out a new album and pass through town,
I missed the saucy and talented Frankie Rose and attended a wedding while Rocket From The Tombs set Mohawk ablaze (again?!) but perhaps the top of the heap was the Pleasure Leftists playing to firewood stealing/no cover paying Rochester cretins (this one set up by the handsome young Get Mugged Gaffney) in a rented park cabin in an otherwise dark and deserted wooded area of Pittsford, just outside the crotch metro area itself.  The Pleasure Leftists bring a dark, brooding and erie brand of british post-punk (ala Joy Division--weak reference point, i know but it's true) with possibly the strongest female vocalist in any band on the planet at this time.  Incredible presence and projection from an otherwise humble front-woman leading this awesome quartet out of Cleveland.  Probably the best touring band i've seen all year, or at least up there at the top.  They have a 12" on Fan Death we occasionally stock--it's absolutely essential and crushes many of our top sellers of similar stock.  Look for a new batch of songs on the supercool HOZAC label hopefully by springtime.  Take a listen to their track "SUITS" from the self titled 12" and some poor sound quality live footage won't be far.

So, whats new?  Well in anticipation of Indie Black Friday, there have been a plethora (yes, El Guapo i do know what a plethora is and you do, indeed, have a plethora of pinatas.)

In the last update, a few of the bands mentioned, as well as in the above paragraphing mentioning some significant national tours, have bequeathed upon us brand new albums.  Thee Oh Sees 'Putrifiers II', Ty Segall--almost as ridiculously prolific as his pals thee Oh Sees put out a raw, killer 2x 10" 'Slaughterhouse' and has since, back to the Drag City label, released some more of his best work in years on the TWINS lp (theres also a 2 track 7" teaser which preceded it) which may not be quite as raw as Slaughterhouse but is full of thick guitar/drum pounders with melodic intentions that almost seems effortless for this young fella.  Both Twins and Slaughterhouse may be two completely different and essential beasts--and beasts they are, they leave last years Drag City debut 'Goodbye Bread' in the dust.  Where Slaughterhouse was for the fans who have been following Segall all along, TWINS will be the record to, not only keep the fanboys and girls happy, but break him into a much wider audience.  With the hype behind him and the killer tunes to back it up--expect Segall to be reaching a much wider audience while he continues to do what he was dropped on to this earth to do--produce killer rock and roll music.  If he weren't busy enough writing, recording and touring relentlessly, Segall (who toured with Mikal Cronin who played bass in 'the Ty Segall Band', he remains a reoccurring drummer in the cool as shit SIC ALPS who also have recently released a brand new full length--a self-titled lp.  Don't overlook the "underlooked" Sic Alps if yer a fan of the above mentioned artists--they are weirder and won't be filling huge clubs with fratboys trying to crowd surf, but they are no less an essential piece of this puzzle often drawing weirder pop-psychedelia with big chunks of Syd Barrett influences.  Their consistency has been puzzling on essential lp's like US EZ--but when they're on, they are ON.  The double singles collection is a great starting point, but what i've heard from 2012s Sic Alps is no slouching point (is that a term?  it is at 5:42 am).   Aw screw it, here's the video for the track "Glyphs".  Sic Alps also are on Drag City, the label who recently has offered up a fine reissue of Royal Trux "Accelerator" (1998) and their "untitled" lp's--both in stock right now.

                                                                                                                                                              
                                            Sic Alps video taken from Sic Alps lp 2012   

A little late, as this update tends to be--were some key releases from a few upstart bands as well as some real winners from artists we haven't heard anything new from for awhile.  Godspeed You! Black Emperor put out their first lp in nealry a decade which is still in stock (barely).  From the Matador Group--Cat Power (Chan...meow!!!) has been mulling around 6 years before her highly anticipated SUN lp hit the shelves on the same day as The Xx's 'Coexist'.  The Deluxe version of Coexist was delayed and has arrived and in stock along with their self-titled  debut which remain at their lowest prices anywhere!   Don't be ripped by lazy, big box stores selling "hot new bands for credibility" at laughable prices--well you won't be laughing when you realized you paid $10 more than our list price.   That will always be the case as we tend to order direct to label or true independent distributor. 

Often stores will reap the 'cred' of calling themselves INDEPENDENT when they are bringing in inflated priced product  from the great satan companies who still don't get it.

Apache Dropout's second lp is fitting for Halloween but don't expect campy spookrock--anyone who saw their performance with NOBUNNY knows this upstart band is full-on midwestern weirdo psych-garage stripped dowwners rising from the basements of Lafayette, IN and even into the grimy paws at Pitchfork™ (who also loved them) .  By the time their rickety van hit Buffalo, they had a room full of rabid fans complimenting their brilliant set.

Pinback, Dinosaur Jr (who continue with the original line-up who brought it all back on the stunning FARM lp) both return with their unique, seminal sounds all their own. 

On the locally bred front, most recently, comes a beautiful third lp and 7" single from Roger Bryan/the Orphans (a band loaded with some of Buffalo's ace songwriters/players/bartenders/recording engineers/record collecting dudes) --"37" which is released on the bands own Harvest Sum--an outlet for a band who should probably be on a much larger label to distribute such hard efforts. 
On a darker, much more aggressively brutal front comes the ingeniously packaged GAS CHAMBER 7" compliments Warm Bath Label--another pro-quality underground local label run by the paychecks/beer ca return money of it's braintrust.  The first Gas Chamber 7" and the longplayer along with an amzingly well shot and recorded RUNNING FOR COVER DVD documenting one of our most well remembered and important hardcore units final two shows.  One shot at the ol' Sit-n-Spin (the shop which became Spiral Scratch) and the finale at Kitchen Distribution.  Essential and available only here or through Warm Bath Label.

WATER TORTURE a familiar 2 piece bombastic duo who have really come into their own with this most recent project of just the two of them, have a 7" (acclaimed in many reviews nationally) out that is going to sell out, seasoned veterans OLD GHOSTS (lp & 7") -who happen to be our source for an occasional offering of DEAD HEARTS (reunion show in the works).
cassette label DRUG PARTY continues to offer us their killer releases on cassette format which has been the choice of voice for non-related but no less worthy recent works from reborn songwriter (currently finishing an album backed by the mysterious Magi Chipi) Bill "Tracy Morrow" Nehill (each with individual hand drawn cover art) and Area Denial.

 The Numero Group, outspoken critics of the darker side of Record Store Day, is a fine re-issue label known for unearthing obscure gems (from soul/classic r&b to power pop) and beautiful packaging with great sounding (and looking) records.  " Buttons: From Champaign to Chicago " is 2 lp's worth packed with obscure power pop gems previously only known to rabid collectors with fat wallets.  Obviously a regional compilation, the Numero Group is the real deal and this twin set is bringing that out into the open.  At a price that seems like a steal, they also prove that labels charging $20 for a bare bones, single lp with half-assed packaging are once again, ripping off the customer or squeezing the retailer.   This comp has been largely ignored in the shop since it's arrival and I'm warning you not to pass it by as they were probably pressed in a limited quantity.

More reissues of note.
Sugar - Copper Blue
Sugar - File Under Easy Listening
Following the breakup of the legendary hardcore to pop band Husker Du both song writers/vocalists Bob Mould and Grant Hart embarked on solo careers. Meanwhile, bassist Greg Norton continued to sport his fantastic mustache and became a chef leaving music behind.  the others weren't finished.   A messy breakup it was, Hart struck first with his criminally underrated Intolerance which SST (Huskers label for much of their career) which was recorded all by himself with pointed songs aimed at his former bandmate, drug abuse, etc.   Meanwhile, Mould was taking the high road recording a few well received lp's before settling into a "band".  When Copper Blue first came out, I recall being blown away and stunned--it's not that the prior solo albums were that bad--this was just so much MORE.  What i was craving.  Intense was the (attached to this reissue making it a double lp) Beaster 12", some of Moulds angriest, most aggresive songs since the Husker days but not without the trademark melody.  Also included are a batch of b-sides and an entire live show.  Holy crap.  File Under: Easy Listening continues on attaching an extra disc of b-sides and boisterous live material.  Essential.

the Men - Immaculata  Prior to the Men gaining notoriety with their last two Sacred Bones releases--they debuted with Immaculata (as a full length) with a limited pressing of 500--which are obviously all gone by now.  Thanks to the supercool Deranged Records, this is now available again (along with their 2 latest) just in time for their passing through Buffalo on November 12th.  8 songs of desperate, fuzzed out, riff laden punk/post-punk that is both dreamy and droney--a sign of incredible things to come when Sacred Bones picked them in 2011 for the highly acclaimed "Leave Home" lp, a more aggresive, louder and noisier foray and this years all-over-the-map "Open Up Your Heart".  In Stock.

Monoshock - Walk Into The Fire  "A Buried Treasure" (MOJO mag), which Julian Cope declared "a Barbarian Classic" this mid-90's (1995 to be precise) garage-psych opus taps into the Stooges "Funhouse" along with earlier seminal bands names dropped such as Blue Cheer, Hawkwind and Amon Dull II blending into a monstrous double-lp masterwork which has been highly sought after 20 years after it flew--rampaged it's way under the radar of phony grunge rock and other alt.bullshit.  Hashtag that.  Revered by many of it's hometown bay area bands such as Comets on Fire and the Wooden Shjips as a prime influence, this reissue is beautifully (how that word works its way into a Monoshock write-up is beyond me) with extensive liner notes and a heavy cardboard tip-on gatefold jacket.  What else could be expected by the excellent S-S records who probably tossed a download code inside as well.  Fans of the heavy psych-punk genre should not miss this one if their lives depend upon it. 

Of course there's a lot more to mention, but this has taken 3 days to complete and we should let you in on these things before they're gone.   Some other notable incoming that I'll talk about more next time is a few Siltbreeze reissues of note: Dead C "Harsh 70's Reality" 2x lp .  Originally released in 1992, this was the bands fourth outing, an ambitious double album and with it preceding two well received albums--it had huge shoes to fill.
'People say that rock music died with the passing of Kurt Cobain. But The Dead C slaughtered it in its sleep with this tremendous set of grinding thud. It is in every sense the ultimate post-rock album. To hear it is to understand why one scribe back in the day referred to their sound as “a garbage truck backing over the abyss.” A legendary release from a legendary band on a legendary label.'
Then, a world away in Australia was Flying Nun's obscure Max Block "Air Ache In The Belly Of The Leech".  Few ever got their paws on this bands (who soon after became the Renderers) because it never saw official release.  Until now, that is in which this long player has pressed it along with some odds and sods for side 2.  Says Siltbreeze: "the Max Block pushed different boundaries than other active Christchurch bands at the time; they came out slinging a brain-splattering goo of art-spaced, Pere-Ubu-seared cerebellum, and frenetic, Mars-fried medula oblongata."  It's quite good stuff as well and is limited to 500 reissued copies. 

The Feeling of Love - Dissolve Me  This french band first caught me with their second long player, OK Judge Revival -- a Velvetsy influenced (with inspiration from the Fall/Country Teasers) romper of an lp that we were pushing before the fire in the shop. (my copy has charred corners but otherwise no fire-damage) It quickly became a staff favorite and has certainly aged well since it's 2010 release.  In that time a 12", Suck/Soul/Porn (2009) seemed like it should be wedged betwixt the 2010 lp and this, the incredible Dissolve Me lp released stateside on Kill Shamen.  Saving my favorite record of the lot for last, (Jesus Christ, i forgot to mention the Avengers self-titled classic seeing an official release for the first time, yet bootlegs have been readily available all along-Four Men With Beards has unleashed this.  Proper. sorry. back to what i was saying...) Dissolve Me is the best album we (myself included) didn't hear that was released in 2011. Probably one of the best bands we haven't heard of that we would dig, a shift in gears to the synthy/guitar driven follow the dots masterpiece that will catch you right away.  Key words overused like psych/synth/guitar/dreamy/droning/garagey (ever so slightly) all finally fit as each song is a new direction so subtle you'll barely notice as it unravels and shifts gears song to song.  It's the record I put on and whoever happens to be listening asks "who is this?"  It's time everyone discovers this way overlooked band before they DISSOLVE.  Their releases are not always long-lasting so grab them while you can.  This is fantastic record that is a familiar cat that is all it's own, minimal enough but not aping anything in particular--but a dose of Spacemen 3 if you require a name drop.  Getting the sound AND getting the songs right on.  What else can I say?  Discover this band any way you can.  Right now Dissolve Me remains where i set it the day it came in.   A+.  The best was saved for last this time. 
Here is the opening track in YouTube form:

 Thank you for reading, feel free to leave a comment or spread this along.  this is our website for now and I hope it's helpful for keeping you aware of what's been coming in and some of the more obscure stuff I know you will dig. 

next update:
 Buffalo's Third Annual Decency Rally Preview/Indie Black Friday/More Stock/a peek into our thousands of incoming used records/Our 4 Year Anniversary In-Store Customer Appreciation Party.

phew.  Happy Halloween, folks.

--anchovies
 10/28/12
 11:27 p.m.
     


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Shame on me...not an update since the chaos/good time that was Record Store Day '12.   They even changed the format so i'm not sure how this will turn out, but let's catch up with some new incoming stock and backtrack on a few cool shows we had in the Dungeon.

First, a cassette only release for Bill "tracy morrow" Nehill--Spiral Scratch's Comeback Playa of the Year.  As usual, an emotional, soulful set of some new songs and a few crowd-pleasing oldies. Bill has also returned, full throttle as a Scratcher, a consultant and one of our best pals since day 1.    Tapes, tapes, tapes...they are coming out as cheap, throwback ways for bands to quickly unleash their sounds.  Even an all-cassette label, Drug Party (whom we've talked about when they first fired up) is probably the most active.


A bit louder was the raging hardcore of Buffalo's BetterXTimes (whom i happen to dig quite a bit sprouting from a genre i am quite picky with) hosting Clevelands AGES along with Juggernaut  and another Ohio touring band called Juggernaut.    A fun show that didnt leave the joint stinking of beer and armpits.

Stay tuned for upcoming events at the Scratch by either liking our non-overbearing facebook page, twitter, buffaloshows.net .  

Another exciting thing is we actually sorta won something significant--Buffalo's Best Hipster Hangout.   A little taken aback at first as such an odd category was created and we ddint know we had been picked until the night of the awards--in BUFFALO SPREE magazine.  Look, we're all hipsters in this msuic thing we're all hooked on, so let that not scare you away.  You will never run into a room full of beret wearin', thrift store dressed music snobs--we're open to hipsters from all walks of life...including frumpy, down to earth music lovers super stoked to find that Near Mint copy of Deep Purple's Perfect Strangers in the dollar bin to run home and spark one up to.  I'm still not sure what makes someone a hipster...if it's an insult or a compliment.  Would you rather be a square?  I dunno...but if you pass through our doors, you're instantly alright by me (until you piss me off).

Another bit of exciting news is that we will turn 4 'round Halloween time.   Recalling the night fire nearly sunk us (and thanks Rise Above Tattoo guys--the coolest tattoo joint this inkless dork can ever claim), never thought we'd be trudging through another 2 years.   Thanks Buffalo, and all visitors who've supported us.   Most of all, thank you for your patience.  Sometimes it all gets overwhelming and those special orders just cant go out or can't be found and sometimes it was my fault.  Sometimes people ordered records only never to return.  Often, it was crap we couldnt give away.   And since a lot of vinyl is  non-returnable, well....it hurt.   But with the help of some great friends (you will see them behind the counter from time to time), we are really back on our feet with a vengeance and super excited about some new releases from thee Oh Sees 'Putrifiers II' lp (due in any day now), Ty Segall Band 'Slaughterhouse' 2x 10" (while i don't care for the 10" format, this is a fuckin' killer release in a long line of 'em from Segall and other bands/projects he's been associated like Sic Alps, his recent collaboration with White Fence and Mikal Cronin (Moonhearts) and basically everything he's put out as Ty Segall/Ty Segall Band.   Both of these recent releases come from In The Red Records--a label we love and you can trust.  It's certainly more prolific than the garage-punk label it started out as back in the early 90s.  Recent releases from the Intelligence, Cheap Time and Timmy's Organism attest to that.    

New releases from Sigur Ros (a 2xLP and a 10"), Animal Collective, Cat Power, Bukkake Boys, Passion Pit, Fiona Apple, Neon Piss, King Tuff, Fresh & Onlys, Dinosaur Jr., Puffy Areolas, Merchandise, Buttons Comp from Numero Group (the label who had the costanas to call out Record Store Day last year in an interview I probably posted, Royal Trux, Japandroids, Monoshock and more,  along with recent locally bred bangers UTAH JAZZ, Water Torture, Hubris (CD only) and killer reissues from STEREOLAB, APHEX TWIN, LEE HALEWOOD, TALK TALK and the recently bootlegged and finally official reissue of primal texas punks DICKS (Kill From The Heart, These People & Peace? 7".

A new release, the first in 6 years or so,  from Cat Power has been lauded in the music press as her best work since the Greatest LP (so we re-stocked it so you could decide).  It's street date is 9-5, a rather popular release date for a bunch of new albums...though one of the higher anticipated releases, the XX "coexist" lp has been bumped to late September, so i thought to treat you to a new track from it.  ANGELS .  

As you probably know, Spiral Scratch Records will be turning 4 and we figured we'd treat you to a cool show that is way too big for our dungeon venue--so Clint welcomed it at his humble Funeral Home in Riverside--NOBUNNY, APACHE DROPOUT, BAD SPORTS supported by our own WHITE WHALE (gruff, but loveable and one of he best in town--the same can be said for...) and MALLWALKERS.   We'll have a full-on distro marked way down along with Terminal-Boredom and Feral Kid distros...but make sure to check the bands merch tables first because you can come visit us anytime.

Lastly, for this overdue update, don't sleep on the massive amounts of killer used stuff ranging from original Buddy Holly lp's to first wave punk, 90's prog metal (every Opeth lp, o.g. pressings and other stuff of that ilk), recent indie, punk and lots of classic rock, deep cuts and prog.  our jazz section is bigger than ever, too.   So yes, things dipped for awhile, i blame the heat, but we're back on our feet and we're going to be more stocked than we have been in a long time.  We have also been selling lots of great, vintage turntables, receivers and even used guitars and basses!  

Though we're sure to miss our flip-flop wearing neighbor named Smook, we're pretty stoked to have a retro-everything (from candy to furniture) opening soon next door in the haunted house of crackheads!   A bit of normalcy...if they only knew...but Bald Bill nor I have the heart to scare them off!   We wish them the best.

Thats all for now, folks...you'll be hearing from us regularly once again and with guest contributions, too!
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anchovies
9-3-12   4:32 a.m.