Drunken Sailor Records Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Erik Nervous & The Beta Blockers - ST LP If you heard Erik Nervous’ mighty 2018 collection ‘Assorted Anxieties’, you probably thought you had his sound pegged. Bruce Gilbert power chords, rickety garage shonk and a wilful primitivism that starts with a drum machine and ends with a heroically scuffed approach to melody – it all adds up to something pretty irresistible, of course, but what if we told you there was more to come? This time Erik’s joined by The Beta Blockers, and the sound they concoct together is utterly magical. OK, when this self-titled LP comes rattling out of the gate with 90-second barnstormer ‘Violent Dreams’, you may suspect it’s just an amplified version of the old stuff, albeit with full band, but trust me: you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet. Gravure sees ‘em tinkering with an angular skronk-funk that tilts an ear towards yer Minutemen, yer Bogsheds, yer Andy Gills (while ensuring both feet are firmly cemented to as many dumbass hardcore punk records as possible). The thoroughly unexpected ‘Blasted Heath’ brings synths to the foreground in masterly fashion, while the mutant dub of ‘Want To Not Wanna’ feels like a dust-up in a muddy puddle with an ashen-faced Pere Ubu. And there’s still more to come. It’ll keep you guessing, this record. It’s still recognisably the work of Erik Hart (for that is his true name), only distorted and further frayed at the edges. It’s the sort of snappily smart sidestep you wish more bands would be willing to take, while remaining within touching distance from their roots. Best of all, it places the Michigan-based wonder alongside fellow punk explorers like Uranium Club; utterly aware of punk/hardcore/post-punk/whatever’s past and its limitations, but determined to find the lesser-explored gaps that lie between and make them his own. Make no mistake, this is a mighty record. By the time the Saints-style brass of ‘Make Up To Break Up’ brings this frantically tense album within sight of a glorious conclusion, we’re in full party mode, ready to carry Erik Nervous around on a hastily-assembled throne before dumping him in a barrel of beer. If this is what expanding your horizons can do, let’s all set sail for the edge of the world immediately. Even if we fall right off the side, it’ll be worth it Will Fitzpatrick. Mastered by North London Bomb Factory Mastering. First 100 On Green Vinyl. Listen https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/st-lp-9 Buy http://www.drunkensailorrecords.co.uk/products/661009-erik-nervous-the-beta-blockers-st-lp-drunken-sailor-records-drunkensailor-120 Gino and the Goons - Do The Get Around LP REPRESS After the first press sold out in a couple of weeks, we repressed it, grab it before it's gone for good. "Another lo-fi garage-punk maverick, you say? Sure thing! In fact, throw away yr Ty Segall records, smash yr Oblivians 45s into dust and sand down the grooves on yr Gories LPs – you ain’t gonna need ‘em any more. OK, yes, you could also stick ‘em on eBay, sell to the highest bidder and live out the rest of yr days in the lap of luxury (sorta), but c’mon now, that really wouldn’t be in keeping with the spirit of beer-soaked, fuzz-fuelled mayhem. Much better to trash ‘em and live drunkenly in squalor. Who’s with me? Point is, Gino And The Goons are here to claim their crown as the new kings of trash. Led by the primal howl of Gino Bambino – it’s not just a clever name – the Florida band drop their fourth album on us with scant regard for subtlety, maturity or basically anything that isn’t a rowdy, hip-shaking groove or a gnarly guitar sound. Do The Get Around features ten barnstormers composed entirely of snot, snarl and serious sass. Opener ‘Hard Way’ introduces the band in the best way possible – a riff lifted straight from the raucous end of Nuggets and Pebbles, a gravel-throated sense of swagger and a guitar crunch that’ll make you gasp in wonder at the heroic dumbness of it all. They’ve got plenty of other tricks up their sleeve. ‘Do The Get Around’ sees ‘em messing with toe-tappingly abrasive soloing, ‘I’m Your Man’ throws stink bombs at The Beach Boys’ ‘Surfin’ USA’ before sealing it in an unventilated room, and ‘Monkey Love’ takes an uncomplicated sentiment and crunches it underfoot with Stooges-styled sludge. Does this sound like the sort of thing you’d be interested in? Of fkn course it does, unless you’re dead. The best soundtrack to out letting all the air from yr boss’ tyres, and then some." Will Fitzpatrick. Listen https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/do-the-get-around-lp Buy http://www.drunkensailorrecords.co.uk/products/661006-gino-and-the-goons-do-the-get-around-lp-drunken-sailor-records-drunkensailor-114-repress Next up. Loads. www.drunkensailorrecords.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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