TUTV: Yoohoo, It It Anita, one of the best noizzz bands of the past decade, are
back on the scene with the first piece of their upcoming, 5th album. From the
get-go Cassowary grabs you by the throat and never loses its grip.
Bulldozing riffs and ruthless drums make your poor speakers tremble, make your
ears go completely nuts and make your neighbours phone the anti-decibels police.
Vintage IIAA. High-voltaic rumpus. Blazing blast. Wacky wallop. Hells bells.
In order to not miss a beat Turn Up The Volume scans the musical
horizon daily (doing it for years now, actually) to stay in touch with
all new things sonically great and shares the results on a weekly
basis.
Check the 10 new rad cuts just
added to this rad 2023 playlist.
TRACK-BY-TRACK
1. ‘The Badge’ by genCAB (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
This eclectic industrial-electro act was founded by musician David Dutton in 2006.
genCAB (generation cable) released their debut album II Transmuter in 2008.
Second full length Thoughts Beyond The Words landed last year. And now LP #3,
titled ‘Signature Flaws’, is set for release in October on Metropolis Records.
Ahead of it comes The Badge. A Krautrock-like industrial
techno burst to start and close all (il)legal raves with.
To celebrate the late genial, eccentric, allround musician Leon Russell looking
artist, a 10-track tribute album came out last week, titled A Song For Leon.
Boston’s noise icons Pixies also feature on the LP with their steaming version
of Russell‘s 1971 classic boogie woogie cracker Crystal Closet Queen, which Black Francis and Co turned into a classic boogie woogie punk cracker.
In just 102 seconds these maddening motherrockers succeed to make
you switch from hip-and-hopping like a kangaroo on dope over a funk-punk
disco beat, to dive head first into a maniacal hardcore moshpit.
The infamous 90s feminist hit team L7 broke up in 2001.
They reunited in 2015, scored new LP Scatter The Rats 4 years later,
and celebrated the 30th anniversary of their smashing Bricks Are Heavy
album, last year.
And now this new single.
L7: The song was inspired by the ongoing catastrophic news of climate change
and the strange passions of billionaire space cowboys to explore and exploit the
outer limits of our stratosphere. We feel like there is nothing “out there” that is as
mind-blowing as the biodiversity of what we have here on Earth. Because we’re
cooler than Mars, damnit.
Pastel Blank: “Dopamine,” is about the moment when you realize you’ve been flipping between apps like you’re checking an empty fridge for the 10th time, hoping to feed your receptors something that feels as good as the younger days of however long ago you picked up your phone. Ultimately, you just trust the algorithm like it were family and fall your way down each doom scroll rabbit hole.”
It’s the 2nd single from his new, upcoming album.
It’s a fervent funky and a dance-trippy stomper. My ears hear the beat
of Queen‘s Another One Bites The Dust, the ardency of A Certain Ratio‘s Shack Up and a Prince guitar solo all rolled into one. I love my ears.
Internet stands as a reflection on the web, underscoring the irony
of boundless information devolving into disputes and trolling.
It’s a tremendously catchy bass-banging and irresistibly hip-shaking disco-rock
stunner that gets you swaying, left to right and back, from the get-go. A solid gold dancefloor filler. Hands down.
7. ‘All My Friends Are Death’ by downtalker (Boston)
(Photo credit: Alexa Noe)
The Boston post-punk disco project has two new rulling
tracks out, of which ‘All My Friends Are Death‘ hit my
ears first.
Songwriter Thompson: “The way I write is quite subconscious. So much so that I have that word tattooed on me. The music just opens me up. It’s always a healing journey and it’s always a pit in my stomach because every word I sing is my truth and I believe if you’re not feeling uncomfortable with the truth in your art you’re not doing it right. I’m trying to heal and trying
to figure out why all these moments are sticking in my head.”
Devo fan? C’mon in, here’s the place to be. Their kooky-punky-cacthy disco wackiness
is omnipresent, but there’s more at play here, folks. Jagged Gang Of Four guitar frenzy, reptitive Yello synth-booms, and mouthy-shouty vocals, will give you s-a-t-i-s-f-a-c-t-i-o-n.
The band’s name is a testament to their stature and nature – alter kaker is a Yiddish term for an old person, or as the band likes to call it, “an old fart.” That level of self-awareness helps when creating a song like “When You’re Gone.”
The band’s Steve Bronstein wrote this new one years ago near the close of a relationship. But unlike the more common musical theme in breakup songs, the singer isn’t sad about the conclusion – he relishes it.
Looking for an infectious jump-for-joy post-breakup tune? Here it is.
The song is “about those moments that happen between what we think of as events – walking from one place to the next, waiting for something. Generally these happen when you’re alone, and it’s in these moments that self-reflection happens – when we give ourselves permission to think about what things actually mean.”
This seasoned indie combo know precisely well how to touch your heart and soul. Inbewteening is a breezy, tender and gentle lullaby for quiet dream-away moments.
Moony vocals, mellifluent backup harmonies, candlelight romanticism. Top!
Band: IT IT ANITA Who: Insane noiseniks out of Liege, Belgium.
Works: So far they fabricated 3 bonkers LPs Agaaiin (2016), Laurent (TUTV’s best album of 2018) and last year’s Sauvé.
(FB IIA)
And number 4 is waiting in the pipeline for a Fall release.
Ahead of it IIA shared new ace single DON’T BEND (MY FRIEND)
It’s a 24-Karat motherrocker that moves and grooves with panache and force climaxing every time the scream-along chorus attacks your speakers. IIA is cut down to a 3-piece for some time now, but their barbed wire and punked-up vitality is still intact on record and on stage (I lost track of how many times I saw this turbocharger playing live, then and now). Bring on the album.
(Photo by TUTV – Charlatan, Ghent)
LYRICS
Since day 1 you make no money
You belong to this “spare-wheel” kinda band
Last minute spot at 3A.M.
Don’t bend! my friend
Sitting in your red van, you back hurts
Do you really think it’s worth it boy ?
Get some sleep, sunglasses on
Don’t bend! my friend
Easier to get beer than food
What you want is a fucking piece of bread
You’re so wasted sleeping on mold
Don’t bend! my friend
Same shitty chorus again and again
“Don’t ask for more ! You’re kidding me boy ?”
“Keep in mind you’re no ticket sellers !”
“You got it now ? You’re no ticket sellers !”
The only thing that matters is pre-sales It’s not about music, it’s about pre-sales Tutorials to increase your pre-sales Don’t bend! my friend
Burn your savings in stupid PR shit Hug buddies you’ve never really met Prove on socials you’re the raddest band in town Don’t bend! my friend
Same dirty scroungers at backstage parties “Don’t ask for more ! You know I did my best” “Keep in mind, you’re no ticket sellers” “Like I said : You’re no ticket sellers”
– MASCARA –
A straightforward no-nonsense rocker.
No brakes, no breaks. Full steam ahead!
. – RESET –
Also a bang-on in-your-face steamroller
with lots of horsepower at play!
.
Last Wednesday, in my hometown of Ghent, I saw IIAA for the umpteenth time. The first time ever without co-frontman Damien Aresta (not only a great loudmouth but also a great guy). To be honest, it was weird not seeing/hearing you, but to be honest again (excuse-moi, Damien), two songs in and it didn’t matter who was on stage or not, as I was too busy banging my head to the tsunami of blaring blasts coming my way.
At times I thought that Michaël Goffard‘s head would explode while riffing and yelling his ass off and (new) co-vocalist Elliot Stassen growls like the frontman of a death-fucking-metal band while he tortures his bass the way we, nutcases, like it. And of course, maniacal drummer Bryan Hayart did what he does best: hammering his sticks like
an octopus on dope.
With or without Damien, IT IT ANITA RULE!
I don’t know about you,
but I’m going to SAVE myself again…
Band: IT IT ANITA Who: Belgian red-hot-blooded engine challenging
the boundaries of post-punk noise-rock Album: LAURENT (named after their sound mixer)
The band’s second LP Released: 24 August 2018
TUTV wrote back then: “Although, at times, more reflective than before
(Denial, the surprising, yet brilliant Tanker 2, Pt.2 and the cinematic
quiet/loud closer We Are Nothing) this 4-headed tornado keeps producing an
illegal amount of decibels. They rip your sonic heart out with primal screams,
loudmouthed extravaganza, smoking grooves, and well-oiled jams. This time
with different layers and different moods.”
Key phrase: Turn Up the Volume’s best longplayer of 2018 Key tracks: User Guide / Another Cancelled Mission / 11 / GOD / Bored
IT IT ANITA – DOUR Festival Belgium – 14 July 2019
Belgium’s premier noiseniks IT IT ANITA did what they do best again yesterday at Dour Festival in Belgium: causing a deafening whirlwind of mindboggling noise on repeat, firing up the whole crowd with their immensely passionate electricity while messing up
the euphoric spectators’ minds the way they like it, breaking down the drums and building it up somewhere in the middle of the marquee for an astonishing intermezzo, leaving tons of sweat on the floor and remembering us all that they made one of last year’s albums with their ace LAURENT LP. Hail hail IIAA!
Lots of hair-splitting havoc and flaming pop firework this year.
Here’s TURN UP THE VOLUME‘s 2018 ALL STAR TRACKS TEAM
21 Knockouts, 21 standoouts, 21 big ones right here, right now…
. 1. ‘Liberty Belle’ by FONTAINES D.C. (Dublin, Ireland)
Up and coming Irish punk idols impress with catchy ramshackle punk force…
2. ‘Dust On Trial’ by SHAME (London, UK)
Razor-sharp rage from South London from their cutting debut album ‘Songs Of Praise’…
3. ‘Danny Nedelko’ by IDLES “Fear leads to panic, panic leads to pain / Pain leads to anger, anger leads to hate”…
4. ‘Isolation’ by TUBELIGHT (Belgium)
Belgian garage rockers sneer and spit with poise…
5. ‘Lately’ by TERRA PINES (Queensland, Australia)
A tornado of multi-layered guitars rollin’ all over you…
6. ‘User Guide’ by IT IT ANITA (Belgium)
Primal screams getting way deep under your skin…
7. ‘How Did This Happen?’ by BODEGA (New York, NY, US)
Irresistible jingle jangle electricity from one of the most thrilling new acts around…
8. ‘Paradox’ by SEXTILE (Los Angeles, California, US)
Inflammatory firecracker thundering like electronica pioneers Suicide on speed…
9. ‘Odyssey’ by MIEN (UK/US/Canada)
Like minded spirits from different bands coming together for a psych-y trip…
10. ‘Shiny One’ by BELLY (Boston, US)
A glowing return in grand style with Tanya Donnelly‘s touching vox in the middle…
11. ‘The Bluebirds Are Singing’ by EERIE GLUE
Ongoing bluesy psych groove with a spellbinding impact on your soul…
12. ‘Turn The Knife’ by PALM GHOSTS (Nashville, US)
Mesmerizing make or break love song with glimmering guitars and vivid duet vocals…
13. ‘You Don’t Walk Away From Love’ by PEACE (UK)
Euphoric guitar pop at its very best…
14. ‘When We Left’ by SOMEDAYS (London, UK)
Glowing drive, tenacious pace, confident dynamic and instantly infectious. Strike!…
15. ‘Dark Stains’ by EXPLODED VIEW
Mysterious, magnetizing and masterful…
16. ‘Subsonic Dream’ by THE DARTS (Phoenix, CA, US)
Fuzzy garage banger hittin’ and kickin’ relentlessly…
17. ‘Faith & Science’ by MODERATE REBLS
The addictive power of repetition combined with a catchy boowie woogie piano…
18. ‘Under The Moon’ by REBECCA LOU (Denmark)
Vigorous, dynamic and highly brisk pop standout…
19. ‘Human Child’ by BELLY (Boston, US)
A gripping human pearl…
20. ‘Wayne’ by RICH GIRLS (New York, NY, US)
This is how authentic sensitivity resonates like…
21. ‘Knocking’ by BASEMENT REVOLVER (Hamilton, Canada)
Singer Chrisy Hurn‘s breathtaking voice will make you silent.
2018 – Another dazzling year for longplayers!
Here’s Turn Up The Volume’s All Star Team
Here are the 11 chosen ones – Let’s roll…
1. ‘Laurent’ by IT IT ANITA (Luik, Belgium)
This is a spellbinding mix of vintage IIAA primal screams and new sound structures that match the band’s clamorous intensity terrifically. An ideal challenge for your speakers…
Listen…
. 2. ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance’ by IDLES
This hammering punk tour de force, dealing with the political vileness that fucks up our planet and other daily shit that causes human pain, is a massive work of turbulent joy.
Listen…
. 3. ‘Endless Scroll by BODEGA (New York NY, US)
Rip-roaring jingle jangle firepower with echoes of former British post-punks Au Pairs, early punky Talking Heads and their wide awake mentors Parquet Courts. A hip-shaking score!
Listen…
. 4. ‘Songs Of Praise’ by SHAME (South London)
These hungry South London wolves hit you straight in the face with tumultuous knockout punk anthems and wall-breaking eruptions of youthful frustrations. Concrete debut!
Listen…
. 5. ‘Expert By Virtue Thereof’ by TUBELIGHT (Belgium)
Like The Fall playing in tune with a singer who can actually sing which results in an electrical melting pot of rousing spit & sneer missiles and some puzzling escapades.
Listen…
. 6. ‘Dove’ by BELLY (Boston, US)
A comeback in grand style with fetching guitar pop splendour, captivating stories and most of all a series of supreme tunes causing a heartwarming glow you can wallow yourself in.
Listen…
. 7. ‘Insecure Men’ by INSECURE MEN (UK) Fat White Family‘s Saul Adamczewski and Childhood‘s Ben Romans-Hopcraft surrounded themselves with a whole orchestra for this wondrous, sepia-colored retro pop beauty.
Listen…
. 8. ‘Black City’ by RICH GIRLS (New York, NY, US)
This is a comforting companion for moony moments. Once you’ve heard singer/songwriter Luisa Black‘s voice you’ll never forget her vulnerable and passionate timbre. Spine-tingling.
Listen…
.
‘9. MIEN‘ by MIEN (US/UK/Canada)
Like-minded spirits of different psych bands finding each other in a colorful adventure.
A rad record full of mind-stimulating explorations and richly orchestrated odysseys.
Listen…
. 10. ‘Megamix’ by RUMOURS (Belgium)
A magnificent and magnetizing longplayer of transcendent soundscapes ranging from grand symphonies to mighty bass-loaded-synths drones with a chilling vox in the middle.
Listen…
. 11. ‘Egypt Station’ by PAUL MCCARTNEY(Liverpool, UK)
And when the noise is over Macca comes in and tells you about his life on his best LP (as
if I know all of them!) in ages, full of melancholic and melodic pop humdingers. Lovely!
