For the first time ever this blog will be taking a break. I am going on tour with SWALLOWS NEST along with our friends CROWNING and will return in mid-July to start posting again. If you're in Europe I'd fucking love to meet you, please come to a show!
Want to hear the three primary people that put on Zegema Beach Records Fest 2019 discuss it? Well...there ya go.
1 JOLIETTE - "Vacío" (Dave) NUVOLASCURA - "Death as a Crown" (Henrietta) MALEVICH - "Trial of Metaphor" (Miggy) 2 SENZA - "Sentience" (Dave) MASSA NERA - "Nunca Seremos Lo Mismo" (Miggy) OBROA-SKAI - "L.F." (Henrietta) ~Dave
For fans of: Old Soul, Truman, Crowning, Rayleigh and Youth Funeral.
Review by Dave Cullen:
For the uninitiated, baltimore’s eyelet have been carving a path for
right around five or so years now, and in that time the band has
endured their fair share of tragedy, multiple tours, lineup
enhancements, and at least one spicy chip.
This May, eyelet had the audacity to surprise-release an EP, recorded in
a home studio the band put together following their full US tour in 2017.
Plateau, the final track, was actually the first that I heard and at once
ensured that not only was this their most mature effort, but also the most
solidly engineered of their discography.
First off is the track Weeds of Grief and I was immediately taken by the
over-saturated vocals, But really that doesn’t matter because there’s a
riff at 2:30 that made me forget other music has existed before or after.
For real, listen to those high vocals at the end of As the Crow Flies, it’s
remarkable the range Craig can wield with his voice. But all of this is just the
entry point to the last track, Plateau. From the opening solo vocals, the sheer
energy created from the bright dynamics is everything eyelet has proven
so good at in the past. And don’t miss that middle At the Drive-in vocal section.
________________________________________
(2019) EYELET "Plateau" (from 'The Howling in the Hall')
(2019) EYELET "As the Crow Flies" (from 'The Howling in the Hall')
(2019) EYELET "Weeds of Grief" (from 'The Howling in the Hall')
In the mid-2000s I went to a show in Cleveland that had Phoenix Bodies, La Quiete, Ed Gein and Storm The Bastille. I met Derek Black. We came across each other again on Facebook a few months back so we did a podcast. Derek also runs Tectonic Tourist, a van rental company for musicians looking to tour around the U.S., which is linked up here.
1 RACEBANNON - "Johnny Jett Blastoff" (Derek) 2 HIVE MIND - "The Duality of Un-Man" (Dave) ICE NINE - "Forty-Five Times a Night" (Derek) 3 WRANGLER BRUTES - "Driving" (Derek) TENTACLES - "Mortal Coil" (Dave)
~Dave
Chicago's INDISPOSED is a diverse, emo/screamo band that has shared members with You Folk, 100 Options, Cori, Bishop and Highdiver and just released a new song called "Mason Kid". It's a pretty dark-yet-hopeful sounding post-hardcore/screamo jam that crosses a bit of Ghost Spirit with Young Mountain for an excellently epic sound. The song can be found again later this summer on the band's upcoming EP. They've got a show coming up with Overo (linked here) on June 23rd and another with Frail Body (linked here) on July 31st.
This post's artist is from the May 2019 Mix. This is track #1.
You can download: the May 2019 Mix#5 right hereor get the new June 2019 Mix#6 here.
Have you jammed A PARAMOUNT, A LOVE SUPREME's demo tape yet? No? Then you haven't heard the best demo of 2019. These two songs are, for lack of a better description, pretty goddang good. What are the band up to next? Writing an EP that I'd wager will be on a lot of year-end lists whenever that drops. What should you be doing right now? Ditching my silly words and just jamming that shit on their bandcamp with a soon-to-follow download. What? My words aren't silly? Oh you, you are too kind. Okay I'll make it quick.
'demo' begins with "catastrophizing", a seemingly eerie, dreamy post-rock tune that switches gears after a minute of instrumental musings with frantic drumming, shrieking and slightly buried guitars and bass. At 1:20 the groove kicks in, things become clearer and good lord of science almighty we've all gone to screamo heaven. There's another section come 2:30 that has some nice breakdowns amidst the late 90s screamo, coming off a bit like Neil Perry, Storm The Bastille and Olive Cotard. The second track is titled "overshot" and is much more accessible, at least in terms of getting your head bobbing along and finding the hooks quickly. The first half is scorching, while the subdued midsection takes a sole guitar progression and builds on it until 2:42 when it pops off again in seriously epic fashion.
If Truman, Neil Perry and Funeral Diner had a baby it'd be A PARAMOUNT, A LOVE SUPREME and that might just be the most complimentary thing I've ever said on here. Oh by the way, the band has a blog with political musings, etc. (linked here) and their tapes were put out by Larry Records and Les disque Rabat-joie, which I imagine are long sold out. Got mine, though.
If you have known me in the last two years, you'd know that my absolute favourite band (as Via Fondo is still on hiatus, I presume) has been Canada's BLUE YOUTH. The sassy, screamy, dancey, noise-rock trio released a stellar debut EP back in 2017, followed by my ultimate LP of 2018, the entrancing 'Dead Forever'. Well holy shit fuck they're back with two new songs and they are even screamier and more abrasive than the last batch.
"Deaf Mode/Two Faces" are two new jams that will likely appear rerecorded on the band's next full length, but for now can be found on a new cassette that Zegema Beach Records is releasing with the Grind Central Records /50 alongside the first 'Blue Youth' five-song EP. The release is titled 'EP + 2 songs' for obvious reasons and the ZBR version is up for pre-order, 20 copies on blue/white/black swirl cassettes releasing physically in August.
Enough jibber jabber, to the songs! And what songs they are!!!
(2019)1 - BLUE YOUTH "Deaf Mode" (from 'Deaf Mode/Two Faces')
This might be my new favourite BLUE YOUTH jam. This thing begins with a rabid screaming and a reeling, repetitive three-note riff that is as awkward as it is jarring. At 30 seconds the song flips over to a biting, poisonous hook that over yelled vocals that builds and eventually erupts in classic BLUE fashion right before the first minute runs through. The driving bass and syncopated drums really take everything to the next level, and when combined with Gage's distinctive and confident delivery that dips in and out of screaming and soaring singing...well...it's unbeatable. The tail-end of the track breaks down and spends the final minute careening off into the darkness.
(2019)2 - BLUE YOUTH "Two Faces" (from 'Deaf Mode/Two Faces')
The second song is without a doubt the most abrasive, screamy and least accessible thing the band has recorded...and I love it. An eerie, siren-esque intro opens up a lone guitar progression that the band latches onto come 30 seconds with a swirling, subdued verse that sounds like a mix of Ken Mode and Dangers!. The second iteration of this section picks up the pace and inserts another layer to the mix, creating the perfect bridge to the bombastic chorus that follows. This is a very noisy song that takes a breather at the onset of the second minute, only to splice in some screamy hardcore (dare I say screamo?) to help lead this track to its very satisfying demise.
I don't really know what to say. This experience was amazing. Stressful. Inspiring. Monetarily...not great. But bottom line, the entire weekend was fantastic. It was great to see the screamo folks come out and gush over the bands. The sense of community was palpable. The music was surreal. Literally every single person in every band was beautiful and kind and positive. There are too many key thank yous to try and make a list, so I want to say I appreciate literally everyone there, and everything you did to make it such a heartwarming festival. See you first week of June, 2020.
NIGHT #1 / Friday May 31st, 2019
DIVA PLAVALAGUNA / SENZA / NUVOLASCURA / ELLE / JOLIETTE
DIVA PLAVALAGUNA
The only local band/Canadian band of the night, featuring three members (two of whom cohosted the fest). Their sassy, quirky and screamy songs can most definitely be likened to Johnny Whitney related bands, especially The Blood Brothers.
Oh my fucking god. Oregon's SENZA killed it. The crowd got hard into it. The top of a head flew off. No vocal mics were used. Everyone had Senza shirts the rest of the fest. This is their full set. Grab their new 12" 'Even A Worm Will Turn' below.
California's NUVOLASCURA was easily one of the bands I was most excited to see, so of course I misplaced the video camera during this set and was forced to use my cellphone to capture three songs, but unfortunately the sound isn't the best. Regardless, you can hear the intensity, the set was amazing, and there's just something special about a bunch of hair flying around during a set. We have like 18 copies of their 12" left...just so ya know.
I was already pumped to see California's ELLE, but after hearing their new 12"LP (ZBR was asked to release it) I became rabid. Not only did they play a heart-wrenching set, they were very, very excited to be there and thanked us a million times. I took videos of both new songs which will show up on the new 12" co-released by the band's new label "She", Dog Knights Products and yours truly. The song below is titled "Dust" and it's amazing.
Ahahahaha, this was just funny. Like, stupid funny. Like every drummer in attendance was either shaking their head, holding their forehead, picking their jaw off the floor or laughing hysterically. They blew everyone away, stole the weekend, and were incredibly kind, wonderful people, to boot. Unfortunately these beautiful people who travelled all the way from Mexico subsequently had their visas banned from the Un-United States for the next five years. A friend crowdfunded donations, the band had a benefit show back in Vancouver, and finally made it home. They will be releasing a new album in early July. It's absolutely phenomenal and they've already released two songs from it via music videos. I highly recommend checking out the video below which is "Lázaro" followed by "Pudre Infante", tracks 9 and 10 from the 'Luz Devora'. I even made 40 "FUCK BORDERS" versions that are available in the ZBR store as of this moment, with nearly all of the proceeds going back to JOLIETTE.
CURRENTLY UNTITLED PROJECT / LA SONORA CLANDESTINA / DOUBLE STANDARDS / NONE BUT EQUALS / TERRIFYING GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL / VALTIEL / MALEVICH / LYTIC
currently unnamed project
After over a year and a half of show inactivity I was able to play in the opening band (currently unnamed) so thank science for that. We had a few practices, but never with all of the members present so this was technically our first full band practice. Some improv, some fast bits, some chill bits and four people screaming in your face. That's pretty much it.
I knew Paolo from a Seattle visit from last year and we hit it off very well, so when they asked to play it was a no-brainer. I managed to capture their full set, which just happened to be a collaboration set with Joliette drummer Azael, and it was fucking mesmerizing. Ambient/drone music with exceptional drumming.
I've been jamming DOUBLE STANDARDS hard for almost a year now, and their live show did not disappoint. I thought they had expanded to a four-piece at all shows, but I was mistaken as the bassist and drummer blew through songs, both recorded and unrecorded. Henrietta from Terrifying Girls' High School and Diva Plavalaguna lent their lungs to a song, but unfortunately I missed taking a video of my favourite tune "Emperors of the New Millennium" as they opened with it whilst I was working at the door. I was talking to Matt (bass/vocals) and it sounds like they'll release their lost EP at some time in the future, as they are likely to record in the next little while.
Without a doubt the most "punk" band at the fest, this happened due to the fact that Steve Roche (Off Minor, Saetia, Yo Man Go, etc.) is the drummer. They put on a great set that had me bruised on tops of my legs due to all that drummin' I was doin'. If you like your melodic punk/hardcore then I highly recommend this Philly band.
One of the most active, interesting and awesome Vancouver screamo bands, TERRIFYING GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL played the best set I've seen them put forth. Sharing two members with Diva Plavalaguna, their sassy, quirky, dancey and shrieky tunes are best compared to The Blood Brothers, but definitely have their own thing going on.
This band had some serious shit luck coming in, as the vocalist contracted laryngitis right before the show and they had a few equipment mishaps, but goddamn they still killed it. They have a sick Italian screamo meets U.S. emo/metalcore thing going where they never actually stick to any one of those, making their chaotic/screamy hardcore very original sounding. Oooo I also released their debut cassette EP 'Human Error' which they've already sold out of. Nab some copies below.
I knew Atlanta's MALEVICH was heavy, but I was not prepared for what happened. Simply put, they destroyed me. I cackled a few times in disbelief and raised my hands to the sky on at least two occasions. It was truly an experience. They played a bunch of material from their upcoming LP (which ZBR will have some tapes of) and were super chill, as I hung out with them for most of Sunday afternoon at Stanley Park in Vancouver.
Playing last, the two-piece shattered expectations despite the late time (1:30, I think?). As they were unable to make it to Europe for Miss The Stars this made the entire set extra special. Playing eight songs, including two new ones, their 15-ish minute set was packed full of energy and technical, screamy hardcore in the Italian screamo vein, but with some singing now and again. Pick up their split 7" with Shizune below and nab that screenprinted 'one-sided EP' when it comes out.
MIRIAM / FRIOLENTO / EMMA GOLDMAN / OBROA-SKAI / REVERIES / MASSA NERA
MIRIAM
Okay, so MIRIAM replaced Frail Body and I knew they were mostly Massa Nera members (actually, it's everyone except Chris), therefore I was expecting some good shit. This wasn't good shit, this shit was amazing. Honestly the three-piece slayed a 10-minute set, playing a few new tunes, one of which my camera ran out of battery for. Seriously, I am hella on board with MIRIAM. Like Massa Nera but powerviolence/metalcore.
I had never seen'em but holy moly they have a presence and play some killer screamy post-hardcore. The noise/ambiance/spoken word weaved in and out of heavy screamo/post-hardcore was recently released in March, but the band played a few new songs, one of which (embedded below) is fantastic.
There was no surprise when the other locals fucking brought it, as I've seen EMMA GOLDMAN about five times in the past year and they never disappoint. Playing a mix of old songs, a new split song as well as two unrecorded jams, I can say that I'll be helping release one of those and it sounds aaaaammmmmaaaaazing. If you're not watching out for this band then your peripheral vision sucks ass.
This three-piece from Edmonton are phenomenal. Creating a noisy, dark and feedback soaked hardcore, the band killed it, riding the mindboggling drums of Durell Smith. Not only were they amazing, but earlier in the day we hung out and talked politics, local scene etc. and even voted on if Canadian bands such as Age Of Electric, Our Lady Peace and Moist held up to today. Great music. Great people.
Boston's REVERIES, the Ancient Injury/Emocat Records band play a very unique concoction of emo, screamo, rock and melodic hardcore. They share members with Lessener who played ZBR Fest in 2017, thus building the bridge that led to this set. They recently released a split with Okant and Chalk Hands which is spectacular. As I was doing door I had a friend record a video. Thanks, Victor!
The only band to play both Zegema Beach Records Fests is MASSA NERA, and that makes my heart tingle with joy. Everyone had been waiting eagerly the entire weekend to catch a glimpse of this heavily influential screamo band, and they did not disappoint. Mark said some very nice words about the relationship between ZBR and MASSA NERA before tearing through a 25-minute set that left everyone speechless and satisfied. The new and dare-I-say final iteration of the band is just perfect, and meeting bassist Aaron was super cool. I filmed their full set so check it out!
I am excited to share a new song with you! Today's premiere comes from Québec's ALBATROS and is the fourth track on their new, second full length 'Futile' was written over the last 3 years. It's being released on vinyl by Dingleberry in Germany, Les Disques Rabat-Joie and their own label Le Mort Records here in Canada, with a cassette release via No Funeral Records. The 10 tracks were recorded at Le Pantoum, their friends' studio and creative space in Québec City. Recording and mixing were done by Simon ''Poupon'' Provencher and mastering by the master Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studio.
They will be touring Europe in late July/early August, hitting five countries in around 20 days, playing 10 shows. Here's what you need:
Time for the premiere!
(2019)ALBTROS "Towering Terreur" (from 'Futile')
This is the fourth track out of ten and is a fucking banger. Imagine Envy, Respire and Sed Non Satiata coming at you simultaneously and you're pretty much there. Thick, driving screamo/post-hardcore with a few very smooth transitions, creating an epic behemoth in just 2:48. Seriously this song kicks ass and so does the rest of the album!
This post's artist is from the May 2019 Mix. This is track #1.
You can download: the May 2019 Mix#5 right hereor get the new June 2019 Mix#6 here.
LONG DISTANCE RUNNER hail from New Zealand and are likely most well known for being ex-Parents. I have been jamming Parents for years, so when this band surfaced in 2017 I was pretty stoked. I enjoyed their 2017 debut 'No Value', but it was 2019's 'No Escape' that shook me and left me reeling. While I was in New Zealand I became a member of Swallows Nest and had I stayed in Dunedin I bet I would have played with this band a bunch (as the bands are good friends) and there was even talk of me going on one of the members' radio show, but alas I moved back to Canada.
Their first EP 'No Value' was released on 7" by the band and is an obvious extension of Parents, but moves into heavier hardcore and more obvious screamo influences. Opener "" is a ragin' short time, while the next/title track "No Value" plays like a slowed down, melodic version of Dangers!. "The Mask" is my personal favourite on this debut release, as it starts out pretty playful and is reminiscent of Comadre before they employ dual vocals at 35 seconds, and then the song takes flight as an epic, crushing, melodic, hardcore jam.
In 2019 LONG DISTANCE RUNNER first released a two-song teaser of "Eulogy" and "Fear of Life" before officially releasing their sophomore, self-released 7" 'No Escape'. It becomes bludgeoningly clear soon into opener "The Downcast" that this band gotten much, much more aggressive, and I fucking love it. It begins in an atmospheric cave, eventually Boba Fetting its way out with a disgustingly angry and powerful remainder, complete with vicious vocals and a thick, dense core. "Eulogy" is next and is short, but a lengthy slap in the face that manages to create palm-to-face contact that for its 1:26 tenure, including a bombastic conclusion that reminds me of Australia's Machina Genova. By the time you finish "The First Lie" you'll likely find yourself very impressed with the absolute tenacity in the screaming department, as they coat everything in a violent, suffocating tar that I just can't get enough of. "Fear of Life" rips through in 1:16, reminding me of Thumbscrew before the even shorter "Black Mirror" tears out of the speakers and blisters the eardrums. Closer and title track "No Escape" is a masterful and wonderful raging hardcore song with enough weight to knock out an unsuspecting listener, and hot damn that conclusion post 1:20 is apocalyptic and vaguely reminiscent of the U.K.'s Lavotchkin.
I don't know what they're up to next but good god I'm keen as and I'll be all the fuck over it. You'll find this EP listed again in our Best Of 2019 cuz it rips.
Woah this summer is nuts. Zegema Beach Records Fest 2019 is now complete and holy smokes what a time it was. And what's this? I leave for tour in just over two weeks? Wowza! So this month will have literally no posts from June 25th or so and I won't be returning until July 15th, making this the longest stretch without a post by quite a bit. I'm pretty busy so I'll just get to it, although I should say that two of the six songs in the blog mix are previously unreleased and highly amazing!
Hey, CROWNING / SWALLOWS NEST European tour!
Also, until the two Daves leave for tour ZEGEMA BEACH RECORDS is having a 25% off sale! All orders over $40 can use the code "EUROTOUR" to get 25 % off their entire order...no restrictions! Check out the stores below.
***Interviews/live shows/premieres coming up this month for sure:
- JAZZBRUNCH exclusive song premiere
- Derek Black podcast (Phoenix Bodies, Mara'akate, Bird Brain)
- ERAI exclusive song premiere
- ZEGEMA BEACH RECORDS Fest 2019 recap/videos
As always, on or around the 1st of every month, I will be posting a ZIP file with songs for the upcoming month with ALL specifics deleted from the tags, so unless you already know the band, there is NO information regarding each track.
During the following month, I will post reviews for those bands and link the tracks to the review so you can associate the two together. This way you can listen to a new song/band and have little-to-no bias. Below, I have re-posted the June mp3 mix that is used for this month's reviews.
The new OMSB mp3 Mix #7 is just five tunes (fest and tour coming up) and includes:
*-* a band that existed from 1996-1999 and flew under my radar until this year
*-* the best release of 2019? I think so
*-* members of Totem Skin and Vi Som Älskade Varandra Så Mycket in a new band? Premiere? YES!
*-* that incredible band that was recently banned from the U.S. for five years
*-* a German band that owns, especially in the vocal department
Any bands/labels that are interested in having their stuff reviewed, please email zegemabeachrecords@gmail.com: with "Open Mind Saturated Brain" as the subject. Please keep in mind that I don't review everything, just what jives with the blog. I will, however, listen to everything you send me. I would recommend emailing with an idea for a song/album premiere 2 months prior to that song/album release date for a much stronger chance at being reviewed on this blog. Bands that have already had their discography reviewed can also submit new albums for review if they include song/album premieres.
