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11/15/2001
EAR PLUGS
We got a stack of local CD's in the mail over the last couple of weeks. We gave
'em a listen then set them aside and finally got around to giving them a second
listen. Merely the fact that we didn't immediately put them on the keeper shelf
should tell you something, but here's the gory details.
Bugs Meenie's CD "Inverse" is archetypal metal. It's a well-produced,
clean sound but I don't mind some rough edges with my metal. In fact, I prefer
the danger of tetanus vs. the surgical cleanliness of stainless steel. The vocals
are clear, something almost unique in a metal CD, but what they say doesn't
hold my attention. The song "Windows" uses online jargon in an almost
novelty song fashion, but comes off as dead serious, leaving me a bit embarrassed
for them more than impressed with the way they worked in all the phrasing. Aside
from that I hardly noticed when the songs changed from one to the next - at
least until the final tune, Rage (In the night), a power ballad straight out
of hair metal 1991. The guitar work is decent and there's clearly some musical
talent here, but they need some creative inspiration.
Next in the stack is Gerard McHugh's "Tales of Madness and Horror",
a Daemon Records artist. The disc starts off with a somewhat goofy tune "American
Dinner Party" with They Might Be Giants flavored lyrics and singing, something
approaching geek rock but with a quiet pop sound. Track 2, "Canopy Man",
even reminded me of "Particle Man." But things get a bit more eclectic
from there, with tunes sounding a bit like X and The Cramps, then breaking down
into almost folky stuff a la John Denver. I was reminded of Amy Ray's debut
solo on her Daemon label of a few months back. It, too, had an odd, eclectic
mix of tunes ranging from the expected folk influence to straight up rock. But
Gerard McHugh's collection is a bit more odd. Worth a listen if you don't mind
the slow, sleepy stuff from time to time.
Last on the stack is an EP by Alastor, "Hail and Farewell." Energetic
chick rock with the clean production value - clear vocals, if not clean lyrics,
and nice guitar work but it has the edge and emotion the Bugs Meenie CD lacks.
The only thing really lacking on the Alastor disc is more tunes. It's only three
songs and not something you'll find in a store, I'd guess, but part of a press
kit trying to get slackers like myself off our asses and to a show. Speaking
of, they're playing on Nov. 29 at the Star Bar. It's been too long since I saw
the act to guarantee it, but from the various recordings I've got they're probably
worth seeing live.
PARTY HARDY
It's that time of year when the Degenerate Press staff usually starts planning
for the holidays. No, not turkey day or Consumass, but New Year's Eve. For something
like 15 years we traditionally organized one hell of a raucous party - more
fireworks than should be handled by amateurs, more alcohol than should be consumed
internally, surreal soundtracks and video presentations, and the most eclectic
mix of people to be found anywhere - a freaky mix of rednecks and urbanites,
chronically unemployed mixing with motivated professionals, and for one night
and one night only you couldn't tell the difference as they all ended up sloppy
drunk rolling around on the floor with ear to ear smiles. For many of us it
was a reason to live through Consumass in the first place.
Eventually we were ousted from our traditional playhouse and had to change locations.
With traditional annual events, change is not necessarily good and attendance
suffered, though frankly it has been getting tougher every year to get our scattered
and aging tribe together, but it was always worth the effort.
I'm sad to report that this year there is no official Degenerate Press playhouse,
and therefore no official Degenerate Press New Year's Eve Festival!
However, when the going gets tough, the degenerate get going! We're searching
for some event/location/happening/party/place to be for what has been our favorite
party night of the year. If you know us, then you know what we're in search
of. We're open to just about any suggestion at this point and hopefully when
we come to a consensus we'll have a barbarian horde interested in banding together
for old times' sakes, or just in the interest of raising some hell. So send
in your vote!
AUTOMOTIVATIONAL
We finally sold the Imperial this week. Now that our yard is 100% Mopar-free
we might be able to get the Thunderbird running! Stay tuned.
Take me to Degenerate Press' home page!
There's no place like home... no place like home...
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