Daily noise that works faster than a stream of caffeine
12 July 2024
Band: THE MINIMUM WAGE Who: Niagara outfit who create an untamed brand of indie-punk rock
and roll inspired by a wide range of musical influences and tastes.
“The Minimum Wage” highlights the struggles of the working class living paycheck to paycheck, dealing with physical and financial exhaustion. It contrasts their hardships with the wealth and privilege of politicians and the affluent, questioning claims of a strong economy that seem to benefit only the rich. The song underscores the tough choices faced by minimum wage earners and critiques the hypocrisy of the elite.”
TUTV: The gap between the poor and the rich has existed since greedy politicians and ruthless tycoons took control of the world, ages ago. It always has been about the survival of the richest, the people who can’t follow for whatever reason need to stay behind and live in misery.
Canadian misfits The Minimum Wage are not the first musicians, and definitely not
the last to protest, rightly so, against the ever-widening gap. They do it with a red-hot-blooded uppercut that strikes forth and back, left and right, propelled by furious guitars and a drummer who hits with his sticks as if he wants to beat the shit out of all the greedy sharks.
And when the vociferous chorus detonates, it’s time to stand up,
raise the middle finger and rage against the capitalist machine.
James Cox (frontman): ““I used to be quite obsessed with true crime, and this song was
kind of born out of researching H.H Holmes and the World Trades Hotel in the 1860’s where
he would murder people staying at his hotel informally called ‘The Murder Castle’. I also got quite obsessed with a faith healer from the early 1900’s called Reverend Major Jealous Divine and reading transcripts of his old sermons, so this is basically just a weird amalgamation of mad shit I read about.”
A wham-bloody-bam drum intro, scorching guitars, filthy grooves, angry vocals,
all in just 50 seconds. Sounds like Nick Cave and his freakish gang The Birthday Party
are back with a filthy blues-injected blast. If you like creepy doom and gloom hullabaloo from a smelly basement you’ll love this to death.
A razorblade uppercut as intimidating as a bulldozer and
cutting as a Swiss knife. No rest for the wicked. One of the
clamorous highlights of these hardcore junks’ debut album A False Glimmer Of Hope.
Garage blues-rock junk Jon Spencer is back in town.
This time with his HITmakers. This razzle-dazzle cracker
is pushed by a bouncy synth touch and, schizophrenic
guitars and, of course, Spencer‘s freaky vocals.
The wonderful Kristin Hersh has an impressive résume.
10 albums with Throwing Muses, 10 solo albums and one
full LP and several EPs with50 Foot Wave (trio with Throwing Muses‘ bassist Bernard Georges).
And Hersh doesn’t think about retiring yet, she never will.
A new 7-track 50 Foot Wave album, entitled Black Pearl
comes our way on 15 April. Order info here.
Taster Staring Into The Sun is, a boisterous and metallic
slo-mo groove with a hammering beat, pumped-up guitars,
and Hersh’s manic vocals augmenting the shadowy tone of
this belter.
So what’s next for 50 Foot Wave? Playing at
metalfest Aftershock in Sacramento in October?
8. ‘Clowns For President’ by BAD SKIN (Montreal, CA)
Think legendary gritty grrrls Bikini Kill having a ball with Pussy Riot while kicking Russian president Putin up the ass.
These 4 steamy sisters in punchy punk crime buzz and fuzz
like a hot rod on the run.
Bad Skin storm full steam ahead with front Amazon Dope sneering
like a raging riot grrrl. Yep, Dope is dope. And this stunning stonker
is dope too!
Sounds like Patti Smith‘s Because The Night ends in a painful break-up
for the lovers. Ava Vox‘s heartache vocality and hurt timbre emphasise
the confused state of mind of the abused one and the melodramatic
sonic boom of this emotional eruption expresses sorrow, distress,
and angst. Another gripping Vox piece.
10. ‘This Cost Of Life’ by TIDAL WAVE (Toronto, CA)
Oh my, oh my. This sky-reaching gem left me out of breath after just one spin.
A tower of a song with an imposing impact. A masterstroke that explodes after the foreplay-intro and moves up and down like a roller coaster. Stellar tune, stellar sound, stellar guitars, stellar emotions, and a stellar chorus. Anthemically orchestrated with goosebumps arrangments. I’m quite sure their awesome fellowmen Arcade Fire would
like this grand exploit.
This is one of those songs that hypnotise from the get-go
to the eager finale. A feverish chant, one long chorus with Marglin‘s delirious voice causing goosebumps.
This is classic heavy metal. Huge sound, huge vocals, huge tune
with a huge chorus. If you’re a metal addict you will not mind if this
Swedish hit team stalks you. After an ominous violin intro, all burners
are on and frontman Michael Storck’s overwhelming pipes take over.
Self-titled debut longplayer comes on
11th February 2022 via WormHoleDeath.
This boiling-hot-cooking stroke hit me and my ears from
the moment the first chord blasted out of my shaking stereo.
Ardent anxiety and edgy excitability dominate this fanatical
outburst. And when the hair-rising chorus erupts you’ll
go mental just as these wolves do.
A twist and turn prog-pop-rock composition bringing legends Genesis (early years with Peter Gabriel) and YES (with voice Jon Anderson)
to mind. My favorite cut from Odawin‘s triumphant debut EP ‘Untitled.
Sensual, puzzling, tempting, synth-matic,
imaginative, seductive, esoteric, and relaxing.
HVIRESS are here to stay.
The ladies have once again teamed up with Scott Chalmers
to create an unsettling music video that leaves the viewer
pondering what they’ve just seen, a perfect partner to
the song’s opening lines…
“What is it that you see? It almost seems unreal
What is responsible for all the things you feel”
This riff-rowdy ripper flames with fervid fervency and resonates
as if Bob Mould was invited to play guitar. Ace tune, towering
sound, impassioned vocals, and a sickly sticky chorus.
Just what you need to activate your serotonin production.
Maximum result for a minimum wage.
This is what ecstatic pop grandeur is all about. Music that elevates
your state of mind to a titillating level. This new majestic single
generates a spellbinding buzz we all can use in these difficult
pandemic times.
When the multi-layered vocals/harmonies kick in, a gospel-like choir delight
creates an atmosphere of utter joy comparable with the euphoric drive of The Polyphonic Spree. Vitalizing vibe, refreshing rapture.
“”Shallow Graves” is a song about the societal pressure, and personal struggle
to be significant. You click into an app and it’s loaded with people desperately
trying to get noticed. And if it isn’t evocation, it’s victimization. There is a lot of
energy burned on appearing a certain way to others, rather than being better
to yourself. Maybe mediocrity isn’t so bad?”
Turn Up The Volume: This riff-rowdy ripper flames with fervid fervency
and resonates as if Bob Mould was invited to play guitar. Ace tune, towering
sound, impassioned vocals, and a sickly sticky chorus. Just what you need to
activate your serotonin production. Maximum result for a minimum wage.
Be yourself, stay yourself.
Right here, right now…
