Victim of Time

CPC Gangbangs Ruin NYC This Weekend

Brett Cross <a href="http://victimoftime.com/bands/c/" target="_blank">CPC Gangbangs</a> are in the middle of their US tour this month through the beginning of June celebrating the release of their debut album on <a href="http://www.swamirecords.com/home.html" target="_blank">Swami</a>/Alien8 records. Tonight they have a show at Don Pedro in Brooklyn and another next Monday at the Charleston, and over the next week they'll be making stops all over the Midwest. The Montreal, Quebec outfit, who play baleful renditions of a gamut of styles that range from oscillating scum drone to bluesy romps, all injected with the perfect culmination of dangerously high energy and charmingly low self preservation. CPC Gangbangs' live sets are unparalleled, and their demeanor on stage is forward, hedonistic, and above all, memorable. Often during one of their sets, it's not uncommon to find one of them rolling around on the beery floor, wearing nothing more than an under-laundered pair of Fruit of the Looms, like some sort of spiritual genius in the throes of an exorcism. Even as the crowd inches their way towards the back to escape any chance of being pulled into the spectacle, this gaggle of rapscallions hardly notice the winces coming from the audience and by their set's end, everyone is under the spell of their soul-cleansing act. Be sure to pick up their new LP on Swami/Alien8 soon, and check our listings to catch this awesome band live in your town. Here's a video from CPC Gangbangs' record release party where they perform "Driving Me To Habit." <center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/97dZ59W81jU&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/97dZ59W81jU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></center>

Simply Saucer Announces Descension to the Midwest

Todd Killings Canadian psychedelic pioneers <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/simply-saucer/" target="_blank">Simply Saucer</a> have recently announced dates for a short US tour next month, and with all the promise of their dizzying proto-punk blazing through the fertile Midwest, it's probably a good idea to get your tickets early. As they had mentioned before in previous press releases, they intended to only visit cities that represented the original NHL hockey teams, but despite their national sport's universal importance, it might not translate into the best touring route for a band in their age bracket. Regardless, Simply Saucer are one of North America's true sonic powerhouses, and their Cyborgs Revisited LP (recorded in 1974-75) is one of the pre-punk era's shining lights of innovation, and subsequently was coined "the greatest Canadian record ever" upon it's posthumous release by Alternative Press in 1993. Since the folks at <a href="http://www.sonicunyon.com/ecards/suncd118/" target="_blank">Sonic Unyon</a> made it once again available ten years later, it has won over the hearts of underground rock aficionados everywhere, and further assured that their name would be ushered into the hallowed halls of the space punk pantheon for generations to come. With unsettling song titles from the mid 70s like "Nazi Apocalypse" and "Dance the Mutation," it was clear that their sordid agenda was set to disrupt the post-VU, pre-Ramones status quo like few other bands of the time. And although their only release to see the light of day during their original tenure was the "She's A Dog" 7" single in 1978, their earlier studio material that appears on Cyborgs is the true gold of their repertoire. It's with great anticipation that their first US tour is dawning upon us, so don't delay in procuring your chance to witness the spectacle of Simply Saucer right before your very eyes, and seek out tickets so you're not left wondering when it might just happen again. Follow the link to Insound <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/simply-saucer/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to pick up their expanded CD version (with tons of prime bonus demo material) of Cyborgs Revisited for less than 13 bucks, while you're at it! the US dates so far... Friday 20 June 2008 @ Bohemian National Home, Detroit MI Saturday 21 June 2008 @ Subterranean, Chicago IL w/ Plastic Crimewave Sound, Miss Alex White & the Red Orchestra, and Submarine Races Sunday 22 June 2008 @ Mellwood Arts Center, Louisville KY [Terrastock 7] and check out an original promo video for "Bullet Proof Nothing" right here... <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WEUqvfn3IF4&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WEUqvfn3IF4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> and check out Simply Saucer live in 2006 performing "Here Come the Cyborgs" courtesy of infinitesoundvlog, right here... <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VIuBtqjRSJQ&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VIuBtqjRSJQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Thee Oh Sees The Master's LP

Brett Cross <a href="http://victimoftime.com/bands/thee-ohsees/" target="_blank">Thee Oh Sees</a> have just released their eighth album this month on <a href=" http://www.tomlab.de/" target="_blank">Tom Lab</a>/Castle-Face. Over the past 11 years, frontman John Dwyer has delved into nooks of rock'n'roll so deep and obscured, the impression they leave is leagues aways from his previous work with <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/coachwhips/" target="_blank">Coachwhips</a> and more recently with the <a href="http://victimoftime.com/bands/hospitals/" target="_blank">Hospitals</a>. Taking up a more weird folk vibe than the former, Dwyer and company retain their roots in 60s rock'n'roll music taking cues from bands like the Seeds and chemically melding a modern folk aesthetic to it, and coming up with a sound that's uncanny. Over the past couple of years, the folk strum has reached a new height in underground music circles, as bands like Pink Reason, Goodnight Loving, and Thee Ohsees are all playing with the genre and coming up with some pretty fresh and diverse sounds and given rise to something completely new. When underground music fans just a decade before were hung-up on specific styles, and never leaving the paths of their linear record collections, it seems as though our collective taste for music has opened up in ways that have allowed artists to explore their own appetites. With the release of The Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In, Thee Ohsees have stepped up their sound as compared to their last effort Sucks Blood, with a dirgeful pop leaning. With more upbeat rhythms, Dwyer and crew go from Velvet Underground-angled songs such as "Graveyard Drug Party" to ominous builds that reek with doom and come off as something you might hear out of the Pixies in another song, "Maria Stacks." <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/intelligence/" target="_blank">The Intelligence</a> covered their song "Block of Ice" on their latest album, Deuteronomy, months before Thee Ohsees' version hit the street, which has to be a first in the rock arena. And though the cover hints that many of the material on this release may stem from Thee Ohsees earlier catalog, the immediacy of their music suggest the contrary. As their folk froth rises from the bowls rock'n'roll rooted in decades past, Thee Ohsees songs are sung in a haunting male/female melodies that gives them a cultish texture and truly allow them an unique sound. You can get The Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In <a href="http://www.insound.com/search/results4.jsp?from=65020&query=Thee+Oh+Sees" target="_blank">here</a>, and if you're reading this from across the big pond, keep your eyes peeled for their European tour later this month. and here's a clip of Thee Oh Sees performing "Ghost In The Trees" @ Pub 340, courtesy of liam117, right here... <center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KcjD1HEoeWM&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KcjD1HEoeWM&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> Here's a video of Thee Oh Sees performing "Block of Ice" at the Cake Shop in New York <center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/I2q2m_KVT7M&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/I2q2m_KVT7M&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></center>

Eat Skull Turns Stomachs at Twilight Bar

Todd Killings Tonight night in Portland at the Twilight Bar & Cafe, local noise-pop hit makers <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/eat-skull/" target="_blank">Eat Skull</a> return to the stage for a night of miscalculated mayhem after blowing minds at this year's SXSW fest, and securing their future recordings with Philadelphia-based <a href="http://www.siltbreeze.com/" target="_blank">Siltbreeze Records</a>. It only took a few months of hushed adoration and a short string of live appearances before they captured the attention and the soiled hearts of today's punk taste makers, but at the bloodthirsty rate people are scrambling for their releases, it looks like they might already have the Midas touch. Utilizing the humming static of a broken organ's heartbeat, Eat Skull deceptively fools listeners into acting on their knee-jerk reactions and stuffing their earplugs into their orifices within seconds. Their low fidelity noise assault falls into place just long enough to shake off the outer perimeter of rubber-necked onlookers and blast open one of their discreetly hidden pop songs for the demonically devoted, once the coast is clear. <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/hospitals/" target="_blank">The Hospitals</a> reference point solidifies their guttural intent, yet those rays of filthy sunshine gleam through the brackish repetition to glaze your mind with satisfaction as their peculiar songs dig deeper and deeper into your head. Look for Eat Skull's <a href="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=196294524&blogID=388403771" target="_blank">debut LP</a> out this month on Siltbreeze, and pick up the 'Dead Families' 7" on <a href="http://www.skulltones.com/" target="_blank">Skulltones</a> before it's too late, as you know how fast these pressings sell out. Joining them tonight is the ghostly mist named <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/inca-ore/" target="_blank">Inca Ore</a>, which captivates the unearthly vibrations of Suicide and trudges down a nightmarish tunnel of blackness and despair. With virtually no vocalization, expect a droning, paranoia-inducing soundtrack to your inner fears as Inca Ore takes the show down a notch in intensity, yet captivates the true weirdness of experimental soundscapes in a live setting. The bewitching sets of <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/little-claw/" target="_blank">Little Claw</a> and <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/naked-vague/" target="_blank">Naked on the Vague</a> round out the rest of the night, and cap off what surely will be a head-expanding experience for the daring and progressive disciples of unhinged punk noise. All four bands are doing something interesting, and undoubtedly worth your time and attention, and proudly showcase some of Portland's finest natural resources. So don't miss a beat and cancel all your other plans to come down to the Twilight and see what's cooking with the weirdos.

Bad Sports All The Time 7" EP

Todd Killings This week's <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/breakingsounds/" target="_blank">Breaking Sounds</a> feature record is the debut 7 inch EP by Denton, TX pop renegades the <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/bad-sports/" target="_blank">Bad Sports</a>, who notably include the rambunctious TV's Daniel, guitarist/songwriter from the <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/wax-museums/" target="_blank">Wax Museums</a>, and video director extraordinaire. Along with his cohorts Orville and Greg, they offer yet another extension to the rapidly growing family tree of promising side projects emanating from the Denton Underground. This EP contains three excitingly distinguishable songs, all perfectly executed with the careless panache of true off-the-cuff rock'n'roll greatness, and all contributing to the churning exhilaration of discovering of a great new punk band right under your nose. As soon as the first song, "All The Time" makes it's initial rotation, it's evident that this is no Wax Museums carbon copy, and the almost flowery-sounding "Pictures of Lily"-era Who chords suck you right in to the Bad Sports' pop spectrum of paralysis just in time for the dizzying "I'm OK" to soak your nylon basketball shorts. To say that this exceeds expectations would be a tremendous understatement. These songs go in for the kill and don't let up until your brain is cordially washed. Taking a more melodic stab on the Wax Museums 'formula' would be a step in the right direction, but also selling them short, so it's best to not make any prejudices until you hear it for yourself, as this debut has knockout written all over it. After several repeated plays, it's clear that the true gem lies in the last track of this single, "Asshole With The Girl" which is one of the best under 60 second songs of the new millennium, hands down. It sticks in your head for days and manages to say everything within the amount of time when most bands fall flat on their faces. Unlike TV's Daniel's numerous other side projects like <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/wrists/" target="_blank">The Wrists</a>, <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/pumpers/" target="_blank">Pumpers</a>, and his <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/tvs-daniel-one-man-mess/" target="_blank">TV's Daniel One Man Mess</a>, Bad Sports are poised to actually hit the road and convert a lot of folks into drooling fanatics, so the chances of seeing them outside of their hometown is luckily in our favor. Their fresh take on ugly pop music is really going to turn some heads, so it's in everyone's best interest to pick up this, their debut record on <a href="http://www.boomchickrecords.com/" target="_blank">Boom Chick</a> before it's inevitably out of print and lost behind miles of other great Bad Sports records, undoubtedly right around the corner. Keep an eye out for their follow-up 7" on <a href="http://www.bigactionrecords.net/" target="_blank">Big Action Records</a> later this month as well, and catch the Bad Sports live out on the road next month on their mini tour, and see them in person in their hometown this weekend at Club Dada. Pick up the 7" right <a href="http://www.boomchickrecords.com/buystuff.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>, and check out TV's Daniel's video for "All The Time" right here... <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mSQpQ4NgKbk"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mSQpQ4NgKbk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Crash Normal Hits the West Coast

Brett Cross <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/crash-normal/">Crash Normal</a> are in the midst of their pilgrimage through the West Coast this weekend making a stop tonight in Davis, California and finding themselves in Portland, Oregon next Wednesday. There's no doubt the Parisian trio have been kicking their mash-up of drum-machine, compu-fuzz and rudimentary rock'n'roll at the ears of anyone paying attention to the Francocentric <a href=" http://www.victimoftime.com/articles/21st/">Glue Wave</a> for quite a few years now. After all, when many of us were wallowing in the mires of "garage rock," Crash Normal was smashing the old axioms of modern DIY music. As they stood over the proverbial dead canary of the fusty echoes of their contemporaries, they ushered in a fresh template for legions of bands to follow. Just as their roots can be heard in the bowels of the French underground with bands like Metal Urbain, Proroky and Spotch Forcey, Crash Normal's cool tempo drudgery serves as the missing link between the former and modern stateside acts such as <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/bad-party/">Bad Party</a> and <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/wizzard-sleeve">Wizzard Sleeve</a>. Their songs incorporate elements from No-Wave and Industrial music layering fuzz beats over modulating bass that reverberates like a seismic overture, and their balls are scruffy enough to pull off a sound akin to House music. You can pick up their split 7" EP with Cheveu from Rococo Records right <a href="http://www.rococorecords.com/">here</a>. Unfortunately, <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/sic-alps/">Sic Alps</a> had to cancel their slot on the bill with Crash Normal tonight in Davis, California and will be postponing their US tour altogether. One of the members, Matt Hartman (also of <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/coachwhips/">The Coachwhips</a>) was involved in a bicycle accident last week that resulted in a broken wrist. With the release of A Long Way Around to a Shortcut on <a href="http://www.animaldisguise.com">Animal Disguise</a> just around the corner, and another LP later this summer on <a href="http://www.siltbreeze.com/">Siltbreeze</a>, there's no real sign of these guys slowing down. <a href="http://victimoftime.com/bands/mayyors/">Mayyors</a>, a new Sacramento outfit featuring Chris Woodhouse of the late FM Knives, are set to play. Though their sound is as far from the blazing pop heroics of FM Knives, Mayyors fit right in line with Crash Normal.

Digital Leather Penetrates Philadelphia in All the Wrong Ways

Todd Killings Monday night in historic Philadelphia at the M Room, kick the week off with an absurd and pulverizing show, baring the ugly underbelly of the electronic punk noise movement, and implementing what looks like an official <a href="http://www.fdhmusic.com/" target="_blank">FDH Records</a> showcase. <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/digital-leather/" target="_blank">Digital Leather</a> is one of America's most underrated, yet prolific shape-shifting bands who seem to be endlessly releasing interesting new material, along with a heap of bizarrely great side projects to fill in the gaps. With a wide range of synthesized tone bending capabilities and a nasty disposition, Digital Leather make it all look so easy, and piece together impossibly simple pop songs out of thin air. Check out their latest LP, Blow Machine on FDH for the most recent dose of their eerily undulating, throbbing message of self-deprecation, and don't miss the chance to soak in this morally bankrupt unit in a live setting. Local Philadelphia hellraisers, <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/women/" target="_blank">Women</a>, bring back a snotty and fresh twist on the lightning punk formula, but they might stick out as the odd band of the night, as the staccato post punk ass shakers <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/faux-slang/" target="_blank">Faux Slang</a> proudly show how effortlessly they can construct catchy pop in an off-center world primed for aural conformity. Either end of the spectrum that suits you, it's two great examples of why all the bands shouldn't sound the same, and it's the variety that really makes a show like this work. Openers <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/diablos-blancos/" target="_blank">el Diablos Bloncos</a> from Omaha, Nebraska obviously drill their own holes and string up a sound so minimal and blown out, it makes Digital Leather sound like <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/sparks/" target="_blank">Sparks</a>. With a <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/big-black/" target="_blank">Big Black</a> influence gutted from the inside out and an incessant vexation as their strong points, these guys could just be the next junk-punk band to blow your socks off. Check out their releases on FDH and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/loveskullrecords" target="_blank">Loveskull</a> for more mind bending spewage of the wandering glue-wave nature, and don't be late as they kick off Monday's show at the M Room. check out a clip of Digital Leather performing in NYC 2006, courtesy of shatteredrecords.com, right here.. <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uAsRGuBS_Gs&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uAsRGuBS_Gs&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Francis Harold & The Holograms

Todd Killings Just as the massive volume of faceless noise smiths reaches a formidable breaking point, <a href="http://www.goingundergroundrecords.com/" target="_blank">Going Underground Records</a> forges the debut 7" by <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/francis-harold-holograms/" target="_blank">Francis Harold & The Holograms</a> that breaks into the inner sanctum of unparalleled animosity that lies shivering in the dark corners of the soul. As one band of the seemingly endless anonymous-styled groups that's popped up overnight like weeds in the past few years, these guys have actually played a few live shows, so you can already cut them a little more slack. With such a lengthy band name and no real reference points from the safety of their Bisbee, Arizona black hole, Francis Harold & the Holograms pull themselves up to the surface from the primordial ooze and combine the blunt force of a caveman's club with the swarming sonic mess of hurricane fighter planes into a teeth-shattering mess of wonderment. Like the filthy lineage of curmudgeons before them such as <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/flipper/" target="_blank">Flipper</a>, <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/brainbombs/" target="_blank">Brainbombs</a> and <a href="http://www.hawkwindmuseum.co.uk/tix2.htm" target="_blank">Hawkwind</a>, they twist the two riff theory into a religion in itself, and tear out the throats of anyone that doubts their real ferocity in the sick world around them. The arid and depressing Arizona heat can drive even the tamest souls into a life of turpitude, and not since the first spurts of <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/tokyo-electron/" target="_blank">Tokyo Electron</a> and <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/digital-leather/" target="_blank">Digital Leather</a> has this kind of glorious garbage made it out of the womb with such insanely good results. On the lead-off track, "The Eagle Can't Fly With One Wing," it's apparent that Francis Harold and crew are not here to let you down easy, but through their drugged-out, pummeling thug punk, they break down the morals and inhibitions of the feedback generation in ways you never thought possible with a guitar. Like the other excellent releases on Going Underground, the sleeve designs vary, but the garbled and beautiful bleeding noise stays the same, so pick up a copy of this thoroughly penetrating version of what's lurking in punk's darkest corners. If you were bowled over by <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/tv-ghost/" target="_blank">TV Ghost</a>'s unhinged agenda, you'll fry your mind even further than medically advised with Francis Harold & the Holograms, so don't let this one pass you up, and keep your eyes peeled for whatever these unwholesome children conceive next. Pick up a copy right <a href="http://www.goingundergroundrecords.com/releases.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.

13th Annual Blackout Fest Assembles in Athens

Brett Cross As the warm spring air wafts across the country this week, with it comes the music festival season. Two of this year's earliest festivals get underway this weekend, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/horriblefest" target="_blank">Horrible Fest</a> in Cleveland, and The (other) Blackout Festival in Athens, Ohio. The Blackout Festival, curated by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/blackoutbookingpromo" target="_blank">Blackout Booking</a>, is now in its 13th year running, and this year's line up boasts quite an array of underground acts featuring 33 bands playing today through Saturday. Thursday night starts out with an interesting act, <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/mishka-shubaly/" target="_blank">Mishka Shubaly</a>, who hails from Brooklyn and plays a down tempo, country/folk sound that is reminiscent of Jack Logan's output in the early 90s. As an opening performance for the three day rock'n'roll bender, Shubaly will be a nice way to slide into the weekend. The Athens band, <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/spooktober/" target="_blank">Spooktober</a> also have an opening slot on the Thursday bill and are miles away from the first act playing more fuzz laden songs that sound like they're recorded on stone tablet. Incorporating drum machines under pop oriented song structures and even sliding into hip hop territory, they should be a pretty interesting band to see. <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/pink-reason/" target="_blank">Pink Reason</a> along with <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/psychedelic-horseshit/" target="_blank">Psychedelic Horseshit</a>, are blazing through and making appearances on Thursday's bill, then Pink Reason is off to Cleveland to perform an acoustic set of hardcore covers on Friday as part of Horrible Fest. Headliners, the Oxford, Mississippi outfit the <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/preachers-kids/" target="_blank">Preacher's Kids</a> are always a good bet for a fervid set of southern-style whiskey-fueled rock'n'roll. The line up Friday night is equally impressive, featuring sets by local acts Goodbye Goats, Paper Machetes and The Makebelieves. The Columbus get-up, <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/el-jesus-de-magico/" target="_blank">El Jesus De Magico</a> have a slot on the bill, ushering in their strange concoction of airy bedroom laments and buzz-stuffed romps, fits right in line with the rest of the <a href="http://www.columbusdiscountrecords.com/" target="_blank">Columbus Discount Records</a> catalog. The highly regarded sounds of <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/greg-cartwright/" target="_blank">Greg Cartwright</a> have a slot on the night's bill too, right before <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/moment-black-history/" target="_blank">This Moment in Black History</a> which is another total sonic turnabout, and is always a great way to keep the evening interesting. As the final night of the fest comes upon us, Saturday is packed with even more that you can imagine. The Columbus trio, <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/grave-blankets/" target="_blank">Grave Blankets</a> have a slot on the bill, and as their murky noise builds to a crescendo where blues smashes into the swampy folds of psyche, it's easy to see why these guys are onto something good. Keep an eye out for an upcoming single on <a href="http://www.myspace.com/horizontalaction" target="_blank">HoZac Records</a> sometime in the near future. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/kurtvileofphilly" target="_blank">Kurt Vile</a>, the psychedelic folk centered strummer from Philadelphia is playing a set, too. Recently releasing Constant Hitmaker on the legendary <a href="http://hometown.aol.com/gulcherrecords/" target="_blank">Gulcher Records</a> recently, Vile hits a stride that fits in perfectly between <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/greg-ashley/" target="_blank">Greg Ashley's</a> material and Pink Reason. The always entertaining and borderline dangerous, <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/birthday-suits/" target="_blank">Birthday Suits</a> close out the evening, along with the never dull Detroit slob-synth sound of the <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/terrible-twos/" target="_blank">Terrible Twos. </a> check out a video of El Jesus de Magico, courtesy of irishshame right here... <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hfZqcviQFpI&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hfZqcviQFpI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> and check out a clip of Birthday Suits, courtesy of Downtown Records, right here... <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xuZZDGbXz70&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xuZZDGbXz70&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Lover! and Black & Whites Tour Rages Westward

Jenny Charlesworth Tired of that ratty stack of 80s porno mags? Why not try coming to the sounds of <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/lover/" target="_blank">Lover!</a> when they head out on tour later this week? With dates all the way from Milwaukee to Texas, and a stint on the west coast in between, there’s plenty to get excited about. A band that rightfully deserves the exclamation mark at the end of its name, Lover! is a kick-up the heels power-pop sensation from the diabolical mind of Rich Crook. The ex-<a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/reatards/" target="_blank">Reatards</a>/Lost Sounds/American Death Ray/current Knaughty Knights maverick offers up catchy hooks and irresistible fun times with his latest Memphis-based band. With all the talent and charisma of his earlier projects, Crook adds the frustration of being held up in an offshore oil rig to the mix and cranks out a distinct pop sound that’s all his own. Much like the thrill of your first back seat hand job, a night with Lover! will leave you giddy and wanting a whole lot more. Not one to disappoint, Crook promises to match the blistering insanity of 2007 (the band released two full length LPs and two singles, available on <a href="http://www.ptrashrecords.com/" target="_blank">P.Trash</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/redloungerecords" target="_blank">Red Lounge</a>) – with this cross-country adventure. Lover!’s upcoming single on <a href="http://www.myspace.com/horizontalaction" target="_blank">HoZac Records</a> should also help to bolster this year’s awesomeness. And in an ingenious move, Mississippi’s <a href="http://www.victimoftime.com/bands/black-whites/" target="_blank">The Black and Whites</a> will be lending their talents to this rock’n’roll roster, in part backing up Crook in Lover!, as well as performing in their own rambunctious three-piece. More fun than a box of Oreo Cookies, the Black and Whites’ lofty two-tone harmonies should hold things together nicely. The creation of Talbot Adams (Preacher's Kids/Royal Pendletons/Dirty Knives/ Jenny Jeans/Dutch Masters), this pop punk outfit has all the majestic awe of coming back from summer vacation and finding out you're bigger than the bully who’s been shoving you inside your locker the past three years! With hints of the Ramones, Stones and Real Kids in all the right places, it’s easy to get sentimental listening to The Black and Whites, especially after hearing their recently released debut LP/CD on Douchemaster Records, which can be snapped up <a href="http://www.douchemasterrecords.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. And if the combination of The Black and Whites unrequited advances and Lover!’s slinky sleaze doesn’t get you in the mood, it might be best to stay the fuck home and play cards with Aunt June in the basement! Check out Lover! and The Black and Whites together on tour near your town... Apr 17 Frank’s Power Plant Milwaukee, Wisconsin Apr 18 Turf Club St. Paul, Minnesota Apr 20 Badlander Missoula, Montana Apr 21 The Comet Seattle, Washington Apr 22 Club 340 Vancouver, British Columbia Apr 23 Slabtown Portland, Oregon Apr 24 The Knockout San Francisco, California Apr 25 Ken Club San Diego, California Apr 26 The Scene Los Angeles, California Apr 27 Grumpus Room Tucson, Arizona Apr 29 Beerland Austin, Texas Apr 30 Club Dada Dallas, Texas May 1 The Sound Pony Tulsa, Oklahoma May 2 Paulie’s Bloomington, Illinois May 3 Beat Kitchen Chicago, Illinois And check out a clip of Lover! at last year's Gonerfest performing the riotous "Tonight She's Dead," courtesy of mtmillionaire right here... <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yyS27mFpg8M&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yyS27mFpg8M&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>