The Gun Hoes - 2010-2012 Compilation

As much as like to think I'm not a garage rock addict, that I'm strong enough to say "No! I don't need it!"-- I always find myself lovingly immersed in some random band's uppity, raucous noise.

All that punk/garage/psych shit... it helps this 30-something maintain homeostasis.

The Gun Hoes are not so random, however, having releases on the amazing tape label, Cheap Miami, whose bands have graced the Spacerockmountain pages before (see Dusty Mush and The Future Primitives). After reading about about those bands, I took it upon myself to buy some Cheap Miami cassettes, and this release  by The Gun Hoes has always been the best in my opinion.

Their music is garage punk fueled by a mix of beer and testosterone. It's young with just a hint of snot, loud with touch of the strident. You could have told me that this was The Black Lips before they smoked pot and I would've believed you (I'm the most gullible person in a room, always). With song titles like "Lotion Squeeze" and "Dicks and Bondage", this music is anti-sophistication. And with that thick, black patch of chest hair on the cover, this Miami band are clearly not interested in beauty... which is something I blindly associate with that particular beach city.

Long and short of it, this music has all the energy and fun that I need to start off what's rumored to be one of the hottest Portland summers in years.

11 songs, free.

The Gun Hoes - 2010-2012 Compilation

EP Grab Bag vol. 26

My head is pounding harder than I can remember for a long time this morning and I'm in a shitty funk from too many mishaps and stresses to detail on here, but I'm still beating myself up over not getting this EPs posted up. Especially because they're so damned fine, so my apologies if the reviews are short or muddled, I can't muster the words together for any better. However, before my life devolves into a bitter mess of misanthropic phrases like a novel written by Céline, I'd better shill these tunes.

To be had here:

Car Seat Headrest - Starving While Living (2012)

Back with an EP after the two wildly fantastic albums I posted on here, Monomania and Twin Fantasy (and there's more out there if I recall). Psychedelia loaded with distorted vocals delivering a style of melancholy poetry. There's some good organ-like droning "Devil's Moon" but I think he saved the best track for last with "Oh! Starving."

Summer Schatzies - Take me to Bohemia (2012) 

The fine lady from Pirasian Beach sent me word of this band from Budapest. I can see how she'd be into them and why she'd hope we would be too, as Summer Schatzies sounds pretty similar to her own album. The thing that does make this group stand out is their more indentifiable influence of surf rock. It makes for a wonderful lo-fi surf pop that doesn't shy away from the fuzzy guitars.

Moray - Into the Departing Lights EP (2012)

A healthy dose of post-rock, exceedingly welcome in light of my painful headache this morning. Sadly despite investing in various kinds of headphones they've all been broken or stolen, so I'm restricted to listening to Moray over the inadequate built in speakers of the MacBook Air. Even with this handicap, I'm willing to say this is perhaps one of the best post-rock release I've heard all year long. The percussion is solidly winning and guitar is most skillful exacting it fills me with delight that someone has talent of this sort.

Zany Zongas and Yosa Buson - jahannam جهنم

The habitually featured Old Monster Records has given us more music to fill our greedy ear holes with. This is a collaborative effort that results a display of psychedelic prowess that ranges from mild ambient paired with chimes to extended lo-fi guitar droning. It is a combination of sounds played from a reel-to-reel player and new instrumentation. It's out there and takes you with it should you give a listen.

The Black Tambourines - E.P. (2010) & Hombre EP (2011)

I was poking around on bandcamp when I found the Black Tambourines. There was they simply titled E.P. for the taking and I decided to give it a go. Quite pleased with what I was hearing, and continuing to re-hear it a few more times for good measure; I thought to look up what else I could about this group. To place it in the crudest of terms, they're a lo-fi garage rock band from the UK that has influences of surf and shoegaze. No evidence of any full-length or even being signed yet, but there was a second EP available on their myspace page that I zipped up for convenience. There is a split 7" I haven't gotten yet myself can you can hear parts of on their blog, or buy for 4 quid. Not very extravagant but rather charming are both of these EPs. Just the sort of thing I post often.

To be had here:





E.P. (2010)











Hombre EP (2011) [256 kbps]