Dog Traders
Drew is from Columbus, Ohio. He draws comics (Toothpaste for Dinner) and makes music (Dog Traders). You probably already know that. Prior to Jason B.’s suggestion, I may have been the only American of my particular demographic to have slept on Drew’s wicked ballpoint funnies. I may be in broader company by saying I’d never heard his sandblasted garage pop either. But that, too, has changed and I’m a better man for it. Drew’s distant, mumbled vocals remind me at times of J. Mascis or Michael Stipe on REM’s circa Murmur. His lyrics are as odd, clever, and compelling as you would expect from the man who brought you this. Not only is the music good, it’s free. All of the songs on Dog Traders’ A Panic in a Pagoda is available as a downloadable .zip file on Drew’s site (though at $7 I’d recommend buying a copy of the packaged CD, if only to get your hands on the lyrics).
Podcast #11 Is Up
DJ Format
Today is my birthday. And, as Birthday Boy, I command anybody with a funky and/or funny bone in his or her body — nay, anybody with ANY kinda bone in his or her body — to listen to the UK’s finest, DJ Format, and his Canadian pals Abdominal and D-Sisive. At least once. Then you must watch the video. Then this one. Then you must buy Format’s two fine albums: If You Can’t Join ’em, Beat ’em and Music for the Mature B-Boy (I know they’re imports…just trust me). Then, and only then, you can have a slice of birthday cake. Birthday Boy has spoken.
The Notes and Scratches
Josh emails the Suggestion Box with word of his humble little band and humble little label. He flatters us with how much he likes 3hive (which will move you up on my playlist, btw) and ends with, “considering what you’ve posted in the past I don’t think it’s stretch to say that you might like what we’re doing.” Let’s see…The Notes and Scratches’ raspy, writerly country pop sounds like early Tom Waits channelling Ben Gibbard. Nope, no stretch at all. In fact, while Joe and I swapped shifts this week I feel confident posting this on his behalf. And mine. And probably Jon, Sean, and Shan’s. Clay, well, I’ll let him speak for himself. These tracks are from the debut album, Uh-Oh, which drops November 18. Support our troops, y’all.
The Tah-Dahs
So you’re making a mix CD for your latest stalking victim…er, love interest and you need to add that perfect dose of humor and hooks to make it clear you’re not taking yourself too seriously. You’ve already run through your Weezer and Jonathan Richman collection. Where do you turn? Tah dah! Meet The Tah-Dahs.
Fixed Podcast #9’s Levels
Mohawk Lodge
It’s been a wild past few weeks, so I’ve been self-medicating with Mohawk Lodge’s “Making Music,” a lithe and oddly optimistic track for these drowsy folksters. “At any rate, we’re dying/Why not drown ourselves in song?” Couldn’t have put it better myself.
(Buy the CD at Scratch Records.)
History Invades
What’s the difference between History Invades and any other post-punk band with that frenetic, angular sound you either love or hate? THE COMPUMAN. Who dat, you ask? Not so much a “who” as a “what” or a monolithic “it.” If there is a recurring theme to the song titles, lyrics, and moods found on History Invades’ The Structure of a Precise Fashion it’s THE COMPUMAN: the band’s embodiment of the pervasive hand of multinational corporations, monopolies, and omnimedia…real upbeat kinda stuff. So, while Bloc Party use their tense rhythms and wiry guitar licks as a stark backdrop to warm, human emotions, History Invades use similar techniques to sound a warning cry — which comes out as cheeky yet ominous refrains like, “Make room for computer know-how…” Have a nice weekend.