New York’s haunting noiseniks A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS will follow their 2015 LP ‘Transfixiation’ with brand new studio album PINNED, their first with new drummer Lia Simone Braswell. The band just launched lead single NEVER COMING BACK . “That song is
a big concept,” says guitarist/singer Oliver Ackermann in a press statement. “You make these decisions in your life … you’re contemplating whether or not this will be the end. You think of your mortality, those moments you could die and what that means. You’re thinking about that edge of the end, deciding whether or not it’s over. When you’re close to that edge, you could teeter over.” The video is directed by Ackermann and Ebru Yildiz.
‘Never Coming Back‘ thunders like an all-crushing avalanche. Unstoppable and unavoidable. A haunting mind-fucker that will turn around madly inside your messed up head. Are you alive? Are you dead? Maybe you will find an answer when following the paranoid path of the girl here in the clip…
From Gothenburg, Sweden please welcome… ROME IS NOT A TOWN
This Swedish all-female noise turbo scored one of the most outstanding longplayers of 2017 with full-length debut IT’S A DARE. A mighty crackerjack of a record. A rowdy flow of loud and clear eruptions, a non-stop avalanche of human reflections on daily life, on being young, on being female, on right here and right now. Intoxicating riffs, sharp hooks, brawny licks and fiery vocals. Electrifying intensity with storming echoes from yesterday’s heroes Sonic Youth to today’s Canadian powerhouse Metz. Before meeting the ROME IS NOT A TOWN girls let’s warm up with one of their knockouts off the album…
Hello Caroline, Susanna and Kasja! Thank you for joining Turn Up The Volume!…
1/ When, how and why did the band form? Caroline:” Hmm, we known each other for quite some time. Back from where we all played in different constellations and bands. You know when you’re out late at night and you start a hundred new bands that never make it to their first rehearsal? This is one of those bands, but this one made it.”
2/ When did you know “this is how want we to sound, this is what we want to tell the world”? Susanna: “You always known, but you never know. Our music is a mix of our four pretty different backgrounds, our personal taste in music and the capturing of a moment in time. The outcome will be different depending on where you are on your personal mood board that day. Times 4. It´s a pretty advanced equation.”
3/ If the band was an animal, which one would it be? Kajsa: “An octopus. Because it has eight arms.”
Never underestimate a band with 4 girls and 8 tentacles…
4/ What’s the signature track so far for ROME IS NOT A TOWN? Kajsa: “Well, so far we’re not a signature-track-kind-of-band. Our song ‘I’m In A Brand’ is on top of our most played songs in the Spotify-app, I guess that has to mean something.” Caroline: “Yeah I agree, the lyrics are on point. So signature of us. I would also say that “21/27” is quite signature for our sound in general. Drums, guitars, bass, vocals. Playing together.”
https://soundcloud.com/romeisnotatown/21-27 . 5/ What other Swedish bands should we listen to? Kajsa: “School ‘94, Kollapse, Shitkid, Pale Honey, Tyred Eyes, Vicious Irene, Growth, IBEN, True Moon, Radula.” Caroline: “Makthaverskan, Skin Care, Holy Now, Spice Boys, Hater.”
6/ What’s on the van’s stereo when driving to gigs? Susanna: “Filosofiska rummet”. Kajsa: “Mm, yep. It’s a philosophy-podcast. Perfect to listen to in the car when you´re on tour. The next day, or days, you have a basis for group discussion. Sometimes good discussions, sometimes it can get better. But we never ever fight.”
7/ Who’s your number one artist /band to go on a world tour with? Kasja: “PJ Harvey in the 90s. No, wait.. it would have been cool to go on tour with Bikini Kill in the 90s, maybe 1993, on the Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah tour. Yeah that would’ve been nice.”
4 x Yeah…
8/ What movie would you pick to visualize your music when playing a gig? Kasja: “Trainspotting. The mood, the crazy eyes, the humor, all of it, except the four boys.”
Spotting trains while playting…
9/ If you could go back in time on which artist’s front door would you knock and ask for a selfie together? Kasja: “Mm, we would go to the Rock’n’Roll legend Gene Simmons in Kiss and take the picture. After the selfie – it’s actually a groupie right? – we’d have to ask him about this line in Burn Bitch Burn: “Oh babe, I wanna put my log in your fireplace, maybe, baby, you wanna get played?”. I mean, are you sure you can put it there?!? Doesn’t sound like a question to me, bitch…”
10/ Plans for 2018? Caroline: “We’re playing at the festival in Austin, Texas (note TUTV: probably the most prestigious showcase festival for alternative bands on the planet). Gonna get ya! We have some really crazy good shows planned but can’t tell you nothing about that yet… just keep your eyes on all upcoming festival announcements. We are going on a Germany tour in late spring, and we will start recording some new songs during fall. 2018 is just another busy year.”
Thank you Caroline, Susanna and Kajsa for the A’s. May the road rise with ROME IS NOT A TOWN!…
One of the best 2017 albums. IT’S A DARE here in full…
Sonic havoc hat thrills us in a way we want to scream out loud…
31 January 2018
POST-TRASH is a Brooklyn based music website set up by the founders of EXPLODING IN SOUNDS RECORDS. Their goal is to make an impact both musically and culturally, through their good and honest DIY roots and to release significant sonic racket for music fanatics who are hooked on cracking underground vibes and alternative tumult. ‘Post-Trash’ just released their gigantic compilation VOLUME THREE, the latest in their yearly charitable promo compilation series. Fifty-one, yes 51, tracks from some of the best up-and-coming (and a few legendary) bands at this very moment. All benefits will be donated 100% to the MARIA FUND. A Puerto Rican disaster relief agency formed in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The people and organizations at the grassroots are leading the day-to-day recovery and rebuilding a new Puerto Rico. The Maria Fund is dedicated to supporting these initiatives.
The new compilation is a NAME-YOUR-PRICE-DOWNLOAD! Every single dollar helps!
To have an idea of what you can expect I picked 3 towering tracks from this highly riveting collection. Trust me, here comes some really buzzing stuff to activate your sonic motor!…
Sludgefucker by THE ROYAL THEY (New York City)
A rambunctious punk knockout that will nail you to the floor.
. ‘Headache’ by BLESSED (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Massive wall-of-guitar-sound uppercut from start to finish.
. Freak Child by GRIM STREAKER (Brooklyn)
Non-stop hyperkinetic flare-up to go bananas to.
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Can you feel the heat? These are only 3 out of the dazzling 51 strokes. Support this
great human cause by donating whatever you want and enjoy all noise right HERE.
The Jukebox Series: only the greats can fill a Wurlitzer with fifteen memorable moments…
31 January 2018
A psychedelia turbine generating 60s kaleidoscopic escapades
since 1990, from San Francisco to Berlin, from mind-expanding Beatles to satanic Stones echoes, from Methrodrone to Don’t
Get Lost. Dim the lights, sit down, relax, open your mind
Here are TURN UP THE VOLUME‘s 15 favorite revelations
by trip mastermind ANTON NEWCOMBE and his longtime
psychotropic orchestra THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE…
Going back in sonic history looking for memorable albums…
30 January 2018
BAND: THE VELVET UNDERGROUND
ALBUM: WHITE LIGHT / WHITE HEAT
RELEASED: 30 January 1968 – 50 years ago – their second and final LP with John Cale
ROLLING STONE says: “Of all of The Velvet Underground’s officially released studio and live albums, ‘White Light/White Heat’ is by far the noisiest and most difficult. “No one listened to it,” said Lou Reed of the LP in 2013, just a few months before his death. “But there it is forever – the quintessence of articulated punk. And no one goes near it.” The album’s ugly and aggressive sound was an intentional reaction against the flower-power vibe of the “Summer of Love”. Though generally thought to be about methamphetamine, “White Light/White Heat” may also have been partly inspired by Lou Reed’s interest in metaphysics. With its needle-pinning assault of overdriven instruments, and lyrics about methamphetamine abuse (the title track), botched medical procedures (“Lady Godiva’s Operation”), grisly violence (“The Gift”), cries from beyond the grave (“I Heard Her Call My Name”) and heroin-dealing drag queens (“Sister Ray”), White Light/White Heat was all about pushing the boundaries of sound and taste.”
TURN UP THE VOLUME! says: Experimental noise adventure or ‘arty farty’ shit, or both?
I don’t know, I wasn’t there, but I don’t care. Put this pandemonium on your headphones, turn up the volume and you’ll experience the sound of the foreplay, orgasm and after-sex madness of Apocalypse Now’. Special, indeed. Legend goes that producer Tom Wilson spent more time chasing women than actually overseeing the album. I just think he was kicked out of the studio by the band itself who just didn’t want anybody other than themselves in there, already enough big ego’s to start with. Anyway, about 2203 bands were influenced by this pitch-black havoc trip. I’m quite sure Lou Reed‘s idea for ‘Metal Music Machine‘ popped up right there and then…
FOURTEEN KNOCKOUTS I played on repeat in JANUARY!
A versatile mix of electric eruptions and firework strokes
that energized all my senses and limbs this past month! TURN UP THE VOLUME! Here’s plenty of sonic dope…
. 1/ ‘Fol De Rol’ by THE FALL (Manchester, UK)
From the troubled genius’ final 2017 album – rest in peace… Album: New Facts Emerge
2/ ‘Black Habit’ by MIEN(US, UK, Canada)
Supergroup hits it big psych time with debut single… Debut album: out 8 April – info here
3/ ‘Love’ by ANTEROS (London, UK)
Striking pop pearl, as catchy as flaming hell…
5/ ‘Current Affair’ by SEXTILE feat SIENNA (Los Angeles)
Hyperkinetic electro whirlwind to go totally apeshit to… Album: Albeit Living
6/ ‘The Gift’ by THE LIMIÑANASfeat. PETER HOOK (France/UK)
Sensual psychedelia with a sultry touch and legend Peter Hook on bass… New album: Shadow People – just out now
7/ ‘Jukebox Babe’ byMOON DUO (Portland, US)
Portland’s mind-expanding pair covers Alan Vega in swinging style…
9/ ‘Skin Spilling’ by BONNE APARTE (The Netherlands)
Weird and eccentric paranoia post punks… Album: Scalps – out 2 February – info here
10/ ‘Ballad’ by NO FRIENDZ (London, UK)
Funky scream along indie kick for all useless people on this planet… Album: split LP with Chupa Cabra – all infohere
11/ ‘Luxury Animals’ by MUSH (Leeds, UK)
Jingle jangle noiseniks fronted by Lou Reed‘s ghost…
12/ ‘Black Smoke’ by BLACK FUN SURGERY (London, UK)
Glimmering disco ball electronics with a spell-binding edge… New album: PATCHES – to be released soon
13/ ‘Serpent Speak’ by AURAL AIR (Dublin, Ireland)
Poetic guitar euphony and Laura Rai‘s remarkable voice… EP: The Torpor OF Minds
14/ ‘I Didn’t Belong’ by HIGHLAND KITES (California, US)
Tremendous voice to solace your troubled heart and hurt soul in times of love sickness… Debut EP: to be released this year
Please welcome from the sparkling city of Brighton TOKYO TABOO…
WHO? The duo comprise of singer Dolly Daggerz and guitarist Mike, who are joined by a band for their live shows. Dolly takes inspiration from iconic performers from Heart to David Bowie and Karen O and Mike simply loves a good riff. Tokyo Taboo is a perfect amalgamation of Dolly and Mike’s influences, inspired by Manga, Japanese culture, drag and eighties fashion, they are true performers, with an image that equals the intense vibrancy of what you hear on record.
WHERE? London, UK
WHAT? An eccentric big bang tandem, looking out-of-this-world and sounding as mental as their flashy outfits. Multi-coloured, sexy and in-your-face. They produce a monumental glam punk hullabaloo that will mess up your mind, senses and limbs. With dazzling guitars, smoking synths and most of all… MASSIVE TUNES! The raging vox of singer Dolly Daggerz can easily pulverize idiot Trump‘s Mexico wall and Mike‘s riffs are huge. PERFECT! Last year they launched their red-hot debut LP, cannily titled 6TH PSYCHOSIS STREET. An explosive reflection of who and what they are. Before talking to Mike let’s get all in the right mood with one of the tremendous firecrackers off the album. Here’s ‘Papercut’…
I guess we are all ready to roll now… Hello Mike, thanks for chatting with Turn Up The Volume!
1/ When, how and why did 2-piece engine Tokyo Taboo catch fire? “We met eight years ago when Dolly was auditioning for girl bands and when Mike was a music student. Dolly was working with a producer at the time who was stealing other people’s music and getting her to sing over it. He would literally take the bass line from Stevie Wonder’s Higher Ground then think he was producing. Strangely that working relationship didn’t go anywhere so Dolly and Mike started writing some angry music together and Tokyo Taboo came to life!”
2/ What’s the story behind the band’s name? “I think if we were a city we would definitely be Tokyo. Crazy, colourful, chaotic and a little bit on the psychotic side! Dolly gets in trouble a lot for saying what she thinks. She once told an interviewer the reason the band wouldn’t win the band competition they were taking part in because she has a vagina and not a penis. So that’s where the Taboo part comes from. We also try to write with no censorship involved. Just mouth to paper no filter or edit.”
3/ Who designs your far-out outfits? “Dolly collects clothes and is constantly searching online and in any city we are playing shows in for new cool – if slightly slutty – shit to wear. Vintage/thrift shops and sex shops also have some weird stage outfits in. Lucy from Lu La Loop also designed some clothes for us and we love high fashion/drag too!”
4/ When did you know “this is how want we to sound, this is what we want to tell the world”? “We developed our sound with the amazingNoah Shain in Los Angeles (Dead Sara, Orson). We met Noah and something clicked. He really understood what we are about. He embraced the craziness and added the psychosis to how we sound. I think it really helps to like the person you are working before. We bonded on a very real level. We love Noah!”
5/ If the band was an animal, which one would it be? “We would be a noisy Siamese cat as Dolly is very bendy, loud and cat-like. 😂 Cats are very quirky and slightly fucked in the head like us.”
Hello, Dolly…
6/ What’s the signature track so far for Tokyo Taboo? ” ‘Self Sabotage‘ was picked up by Forza Horizon – video game – and gave us some new followers. ‘Make It Out Alive’ is the track that wrote itself so maybe that one is more of our signature. Dolly wrote a chorus and the rest came together really fast. We didn’t change anything about structure/ lyrics / melody. It felt right from the get go.”
7/ What’s on the van’s stereo when driving to gigs? “All kinds! But Marilyn Manson makes us feel badass and ready to kick butt on stage!”
A human Siamese cat…
8/ What movie would you pick to visualize your music on a big screen when playing a gig? “‘Labyrinth’ or any movie with Bowie in it. Maybe a montage of all his movies and music videos. That would be AWESOME!”
9/ If you could go back in time on which artist’s front door would you knock and ask for a selfie together? “David Bowie as he’s Dolly’s soul mate. We both are obsessed with Bowie!“
10/ Plans for 2018? “UK Tour, starting in February supporting Esprit D’air. European Tour Dates. US Tour Dates. Japan Tour Dates. Recording new music!”
Many thanks for this chat, Mike and say meow to Dolly! May the road rise with TOKYO TABOO!
A brand new SEVEN IN THE MIX for a brand new week!
Seven striking strokes I played on repeat these past days
Seven towering tracks to feed body & soul all week long
Turn up the volume! Music is the dope! Here’s the stuff!
. 1/ ‘Higher Than Love’ by GOLDBIRDS (Brighton, UK)
London’s rhapsody pop outfit is back with a tremendous stomper generating a nowadays Saturday Night Fever heat to go bonkers to all night long. Stunning comeback! Big score!…
2/ ‘Modern Waves’ by BLURRED OUT (Oakland, US)
This feel-good humdinger will make you dance in front of your mirror while bouncy guitar sparks tickle your senses. Amplified pop with an exotic touch. Available on Bandcamp.
3/ ‘Jaw’ by SHYBITS (UK/US)
This duo describes their sound as ‘wonky-oddball-surf-pop’. Weird and bloody stupendous it is! Like slack legends Pavement taking speed instead of valium and turning the decibels up! Paranoid screams and schizophrenic guitars. The way you damn like it!
4/ ‘Flytrap’ by TEENAGE BURRITOS (San Diego, US)
SHOUT! SCREAM! HOWL! These San Diego outcasts are the perfect punk unit to go bananas too! Hyperkinetic heckedness that will make you jump madly in all directions!
5/ ’30 Minutes Or Less’ by CRUEL REFLECTIONS (San Fernando Valley, California, US)
Here’s an irresistible, poppy rainbow with a dark color in it. As if Joy Division‘s late legendary frontman Ian Curtis fronted The Cure in their early days. Catchy & gloomy track from their brand new, excellent 8-track album ‘One Year’ – experience it on Bandcamp.
6/ ‘Speakeasy’ by THE VIOLET KIND (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Singer/songwriter Katya Mansell‘s band generates here some affecting, melodic mixed emotions guitar electricty alternated with reflective sequences. Intruiging beauty…
7/ ‘I Stroked Her Like Leper’ by ASHLEY REAKS (London, UK)
This born wrong collage artist and experimental musician makes me think of The Residents meeting Frank Zappa for a jazzy chill-out session. The fascinating result feels like a mind-massage. From new, multifaceted LP The Earth Swan Sings Again – here on Bandcamp
With her new single TAKE YOUR NAME, Irish-born/Glasgow based singer-songwriter MARTHA FFION takes you back, instantly, to a cold Sunday afternoon in the winter of 1966 somewhere in a crowded ballroom where lovers whisper in each other’s ears on the dance floor. It feels like flashback romanticism, it sounds like Brenda Lee playing softly on
a vintage Wurlitzer for amorous hearts and desirous souls. Here’s the sweet, little pearl…
