eastside zoo

BOX OF 7"s: Episode 8

2010-04-29T16:38:00.003-05:00

LIMP WRIST - s/t
Parology Recs., 2001

Maybe you didn't know, but Limp Wrist are America's preeminent gay hardcore band. Martin picked up the pieces of Los Crudos and ran with them, creating another exciting, unusual band.
There's a lot to discuss, socially and politcally, here. I won't waste your time on a conversation you've most likely had, but I would like to hear a new record from Limp Wrist now, amidst all the DADT crap and California's Prop. 8 and all the racist legislation that's coming out of Arizona.
Martin! Where are you guys? Another decade's worth of gay American youth needs you!

MAKE UP - Substance Abuse
Time Bomb Records, 1996

The title song on this little slab of wax is probably the greatest thing this great band ever put down. I have listened to it countless times and it never gets old. I used to play it when I dj'd and I still listen to it now. The recording is exactly how it should sound and everything comes through. The desperate howl, the urgent bass line, funky drumming, the fun of using drugs! "You have got to take the time, to consider what the substance is for."
I know that the Make Up were white belted hipsters and everyone liked to point and make fun, but when they played everyone paid attention. That's what counts and they were awesome. It goes like that when most of the band is made up of most of Nation of Ulysses.

MARKED MEN - She Won't Know b/w Nothing's Changed
Shit Sandwich, 2005

Of all the great bands that Texas has given us, these guys fall somewhere in the Top 20 of All Time and the Top 10 for me. Besides SA's Big Drag and maybe a few others, no one does power pop as good as these guys. When they started, I was doubtful because I liked the Reds, a previous iteration featuring most of the same dudes, way too much. After the first Marked Men album, I was all like "The Reds? Who's that?" Just kidding. The Marked Men will live forever and this little piece of gold is a good illustration why.

BOX OF 7"s: Episode 7

2010-04-22T11:53:00.011-05:00

Hello again...

INHALANTS - s/t
Unclean Records, 1993

Not the fun party accessory, but a fine single from the garage rock factory here in Austin, TX. Unclean Records released a number of fine Central Texas product, like Glorium, the Hamicks, and the Sons of Hercules. I didn't get my hands on it until a few years after its release, when the Inhalants had already broken up. I never got to see them. At one point, they were crazy enough to hire wild drummer Chris Hernandez, who, I'm sure, talked his way into that position like a smooth criminal. Then, all of Austin moved to Seattle.
I like this one, as it includes the awesome "Misanthrope", which sounds like a song X would pull out for an encore.
As luck would have it, some time later, Lisa from the Inhalants would later get a roommate. That roommate would figure in our next two bands....

THE JEWWS - I Need Your Lovin'
Alien Snatch Recs., 2001(?)

The Jewws have a cemented a place in my heart. As far as rock music goes, Houston has produced none better than the Jewws. Their Heartbreaker 10" (with Omari's brother keeping the beat)is so awesome. I have seen them countless times. I still wish they were together. The snotty, spastic loudness hooks me every time. Rebecca's thick, red mane still shimmers! Omari's sneer shines in the night! Matt's striped shirt reminds me of his other striped shirt! Seriously, if you haven't already introduced yourself to the wonders of this band, please do. Check the video below.

During the time of the Jewws, I got to know them and still do to this day. They are all awesome. You should try and find that Heartbreaker 10".
Of course, two Jewws were also in...

JUNIOR VARSITY - Bam Bam Bam!
Twist Like This, 2000

"If I was a pizza, I'd be a slice of cheese.."
How could you turn down a record with a line like that? You couldn't and neither did I. It's no secret that I like cute stuff, and this is that with charm for days. In a feat of engineering genius, they managed to squeeze an entire album onto this 7". How so?
Even though JV pines for the creaky old 50s, this sounds fresh and sprightly. Yet another band out of Houston I wish would still play (and two more Texans lost to Washington!). I'm going to listen to it again, while I eat Wheat Chex. Oh, here are some cute pics of JV playing at an elementary school!

See you soon!

I'ma live blog this SXSW bitch!

2010-03-16T19:12:00.001-06:00

As a grand return to bloggville, I will try to live blog evryband I see this year!

I AM A SORRY BITCH

2010-02-22T15:01:00.003-06:00

FUCK! I haven't put up anything new here in over a month! Well, there's actually been some factors as to why, but most aren't good enough to publish. I promise there will be Episode 7 of the 7 Inch Box soon. Maybe some cute animal pictures. Stay tuned!

Cute Visitor at Work

2010-01-14T17:19:00.003-06:00

This happy fellow came in and spilled cute everywhere.

BOX OF 7"s: Episode 6

2010-01-14T16:34:00.007-06:00

Hey, you guys like Hickey?

HICKEY - Us v. Them ep
Truth About Fonzie Communications, 1994

Is this the first Hickey 7"? Yes, but my copy is a repress from a year or so later. Needless to say, this is awesome. Not only does it come with a bunch of shit for you to read, it contains one of my favorite Hickey songs: "Everyone's A Whore". This record is ideal for drinking your first beer on a night when you just know you're going to drink more than 10. Interesting fact about my copy: it has a phone number inscribed on the inner sleeve that was there when I got it in 2002, which is the same year Matty Luv died. It's a 214 number. If you want I'll e-mail it to you and you can call it.

HICKEY & ALL YOU CAN EAT - Banana Split ep
Monitor Recs., 1994 (It's yellow see-thru!)

OK. On the cover of this piece of gold, AYCE is actually listed first. I file it under Hickey because I listen to that side more and Hickey are great. If you only have "Various States of Disrepair", their compendium, this 7" has 'Make Sure There Aren't Any Squares At My Funeral' and 'El Farolito'. These are two awesome songs and will surely take your mind back to an awesome party somewhere in your history. Especially if you love burritos. All You Can Eat acquit themselves quite well on their side of the split, but I'm here to talk about Hickey.
I'm thinking this is a repress, but I'm not sure. It has a cute drawing of a guy in a dinosaur costume handing out flyers for kung fu lessons on the back.

HICKEY - Art, Messianism, & Crime ep
Last Resort Recs., 1995

Then again, maybe this is their best 7". Not only do all the songs shine like crusty diamonds (especially "Everything I Know About Sex I Learned from KISS"), but the unfoldable newspaper cover reveals the awesome "Hickey vs. Austin, Tx" article inside. The tale involves arrests and Peter Criss, but not necessarily together. I never got to see Hickey. I wasn't hip to them when they played here. :( It must also be mentioned that this a good party record.

HICKEY / VOODOO GLOWSKULLS
Probe Recs./"Epitaph Recs.", 1996

I'm just going to reprint the stuff from Wikipedia:

Probe records released a 7" which was made to look as if it were a split between Hickey and the Voodoo Glow Skulls. On one side of the 7" was the Hickey song "Food Stamps and Drink Tickets" and the other side members of Hickey played the trumpet that was stolen from Voodoo Glow Skulls over the answering machine messages left by Voodoo Glow Skulls members and Epitaph Records employees demanding the return of the instrument. The 7" also falsely had the Epitaph Records logo on the back as Epitaph had no official part in the release.

According to the zine included with the 7" the two bands played together at the now closed Nile Theater in Mesa, Arizona. Matty Luv, singer of Hickey, made disparaging remarks about Epitaph Records and the commercialization of punk. After members of both bands had a confrontation, the Voodoo Glow Skulls convinced the venue owner to eject Hickey without pay. In response, Hickey stole the trumpet in question out of the Voodoo Glow Skulls van.

After receiving threatening messages on their answering machine, Hickey filled the trumpet with pudding and returned it.

Sorry to end on a down note, but I'm just not crazy about the song on here. It's called "Food Stamps and Drink Tickets". The zine that comes with this is pretty entertaining, though. The back and forth between the bands and their peoples makes for a good read.

CAT PARTY

2010-01-11T17:00:00.005-06:00

The kittens are going in to get their nuts cut on Friday! Wish these bros well.

Spottie!

BOX OF 7"s: Episode 5

2010-01-06T16:06:00.007-06:00

Now that the boozy holidays are over, I can get back to pondering my box of 7"s. Actually, the box had a little adventure of its own. In protest of my not cleaning their box, one of the cats took a shit near the box. That was bad enough, but when I reached for the box the next time, I found a remnant stuck to it! It was a piece of duct tape covered in cat poo stuck to the box! Gross! Not as gross as a dog shitting a tampon, I suppose. It was cleaned and returned to its former state.

THE GOSPEL SWINGERS - Mississippi ep
In The Red Recs., 2001

This is a really awesome record, and I remember these guys really bringing down the house whenever they played. They were from Denton, so it wasn't that rarely. I remember one particularly fun show at Trophy's in south Austin. Unfortunately, the record ends too soon, and really leaves you wanting more. Luckily, an album came along a few years later, however posthomously. This slab is produced by the great Tim Kerr, who would soon collaborate with 3/5 of the Swingers in the Now Time Delegation.
The Swingers originated with the handsome Alex Cuervo, who also thrilled us in the King Sound Quartet and Blacktop, among others. He's now fronting the excellent Hex Dispensers, along with his lovely wife Alyse Mervosh-Cuervo, who punishes the drums. You can read an interesting interview with Alex from 2007 here.
PS. When they got married, it was awesome and it allowed me to wear a chipmunk vest for most of the evening.

THE HATCHBACKS ep
Turkey Baster Recs., 2000 (It's green see-thru.)

Ha ha! I have lots of fun memories associated with this band. They were loud and snotty and liked to party. They all remain friends of mine today and they continue to rock, although one rocks a research desk at a prominent Jewish university. Not bad for a Motard!
The song I like the most on here is "Hit the Road", a driving little tune that sternly asks for your attention. The remaining jams keep the party goin' and prompted me to drink a beer as I type this. Those Hatchbacks really liked to rock. Once, Dean knocked himself out cold when he fell off the stage during a show. I thought he was dead, but he merely received a concussion. He passes on that concussion to the ages with this fine contribution to Texas music history.
Did you know that there's a rockabilly band from Sweden called the Hatchbacks, too? Well, there is.

Sorry this post only has two entries. Next, I've got 4 Hickey 7"s to go through.

BOX OF 7"s: Episode 4

2009-12-17T16:30:00.004-06:00

DONNY DENIM - "Hey You" b/w "Rock 'n' Roll Love Affair"
Radio X, 1999

There's a lot of Darin Raffaelli in this box. Here he is with his back-up band, AM Radio, on a couple of snappy tunes. The b side is the winner of this pop contest. The song dances around with a Sweet/Dictators vibe. It still sounds like it'd be better if the Bobbyteens did it. This disc also reveals how much he had to do with that band's sound.
I don't really know what dude looks like, but the picture on the back of the sleeve is very unflattering. It filled me with disappointment upon first viewing. This did not look like the handsome lad on the car from Supercharger.
One thing I was unaware of with this record. Check this out:

LC: Donny Denim. Was it a solo project? If not who was in it and did you tour?

Darin: Donny Denim was a comedy record that I recorded with Brian and the rockin Kathy Walker of the Retardos. We were so blatantly trying to be funny that I scratch my head when people say that its powder poop. Read my lips: I shit on powder poop and wipe my ass with bubblegum. I was trying to look like the Big Ragu on the cover but ended up looking like I don’t know what. My friend Nici, who did the cover, had to airbrush my bald spot. Thankfully, Michael Lucas asked me to record Necro Sue with the Phantom Surfers, which really captured the true spirit of what Donny DeNimbecile was supposed to be all about. No tour. No shows. No girl fans.

Here's a video!

THE FATAL FLYING GUILLOTEENS ep
Twistworthy,

We wanna know where the rock comes from.
Boy, do I love me some early Guilloteens records. Houston's most aggressive weirdos seemed to run on contempt; for the audience or the club or each other. I liked to go to their shows to see what would happen, and usually something did. They played lots of hardcore shows and those kids like to dance (and so did I!) I got punched in the face once during a fight at one show and I had to barf after. Oh, and the band sweat a lot.
This records seems a little less manic than the ones to follow but still shows off their menacing snarl proudly. That last song is, to me, their theme song.

FATAL FLYING GUILLOTEENS ep
Estrus Recs, 1999

This record is so awesome. Recorded almost exactly one year after the previously mentioned 7-incher and the experience gained is displayed well. "Shake Train" is probably my favorite FFG song and it really brought down the house when they played it live.
You know what? The band is historically handsome. Throughout their line-up changes, good looks have been a constant. I wonder if you have to submit a headshot when you audition for the band. Are they serviced by a men's modelling agency? You tell me.

BOX OF 7"s: Episode 3

2009-12-10T16:21:00.003-06:00

THE CHERRY VALANCE - "Two Headed Woman" b/w "(Let Me Do My) Business"
Fandango Recs., 2000, (pretty clear blue wax)

One of my favorite bands of the 00s also has one of the coolest names. In case you didn't know, they're named after a character in the SE Hinton book The Outsiders. You've probably seen the movie, which is also good.
Anyway, this record rocks and is good for consuming mass quantities of beer and fun. Both sides are great party jams filled with Southern boogie charms and a foxy lady who can play ripping leads. Her name is Cheetie. Both she and her bff, Paul, are in Birds of Avalon now. They are cool people in awesome bands. The Cherry Valance were great live, a dynamo of musical awesome. Make sure you check out their LP called Riffin', which is wall to wall hits.
Here's a video you may enjoy:

CHERUBS - "Pink Party Dessert" b/w "Downy Downer"
Trance Syndicate, 1992

"Pink Party Dessert" is a great song that opens with a bludgeoning riff and careens on from there. It's so awesome that I rarely listen to the other side, which has never grabbed me. If you ever see a copy of their Heroin Man LP, you should pick it up.
Once, I was at a Stereolab show at Liberty Lunch. I am old. The show was in full swing and I lit a joint and noticed I was standing next to Kevin Whitley, a Cherub. He looked at me funny and I offered him a hit, but was waved off. I found out the next day, he's as sober as the sun. A faux pas?

THE DONNAS - "Da Doo Ron Ron" & "I Don't Wanna Go To School" b/w "I Don't Wanna Rock 'n' Roll Tonight"
Super*Teem Recs., 1996

"Gimme that chiba!" Another assist from Darin Raffaelli leads to another piece of bubblegum punk girl greatness. Each song is better than the previous one. I wish I had the talent to have written "I Don't Wanna Rock 'n' Roll Tonight". The genius lies in the simplicity. Three chords and the teenaged truth, right? Do you think Raffaelli wrote the last one after one the teenaged Donnas turned down his old man advances?

THE DONNAS - High School Yum Yum ep
Radio X, 1995 (I think mine's a re-press, though.)

The debut of our teenaged darlings. The gem on this one is "Let's Rab!" which plots the course for the next few years to come.
Once I gave Donna R., the guitar player, a joint. I hope they enjoyed it. As for the Donnas, we've grown apart. When they started down the arena rock path, I went along. I got off at the first stop, though. They continue to rock on.

BOX OF 7"s: Episode 2

2009-12-04T16:13:00.003-06:00

THE BOBBYTEENS - "I Wanna Go Home" b/w "Pay the Price"
Outer Universe Recs, 1998 (and it's on pink marble!)

Born from the genius of Darin Raffaelli, the Phil Spector of 90s garage rock, the Bobbyteens' sloppy bubblegum earnestness is hard to resist. They've also got pedigree. Russell Quan was in the Mummies! Two of the girls were Trashwomen!
I must admit that this is my thing. This type of bubblegum garage here. Catchy, instantly hummable, snotty. I really like both the tunes on this one. "I Wanna Go Home" is definitely my jam when I'm ready to get back to Texas. I must have worn down a needle playing this one over and over when I first got it. You know, I think the Bobbyteens only played here once. We saw them in Vegas in 2000 and I have a picture of Russell Quan taking a picture of me in an elevator while I'm taking his picture!

THE BOBBYTEENS - "Treat Me Right" b/w "Girl Downtown"
Screaming Apple Recs., 1999

With another Raffaelli assist, another sweet wad of bubblegum is borne from the Bobbyteens. There's a little picture of him rockin' out on the back of the sleeve. He plays guitar on all these singles. Did he write the songs? I think he did.
I can really relate to the "Girl Downtown" song. It's about being a kid and seeing someone who looks really cool to you and you can't wait to get older and emulate them or try to, anyway. Like the first time you saw a punk or a rockabilly dude or a b-girl at the mall, and they were real. "Wow", you'd think. "There's a real punk rocker. His buttflap is as gnarly as the ones in The Decline of Western Civilization 3. He's cool."

THE BOBBYTEENS - "Rock n' Roll Show" b/w "Backseat Lover"
Estrus Recs., 1999

Not my favorite, but it's OK. "Backseat Lover" really provides the meat on this, but when I listen to it I can't help but think of Russell and Tina from the band getting it on in the back of the van. I wonder if they follwed the popular "no body fluids in the van" rule that I've noticed most bands favor. I think it's to prevent the van from stinking of sex!

Haiku Time .014 - FFF Update

2009-12-03T17:42:00.002-06:00

Fuck it! I tried. It went good for a few weeks and then I caved. Oh, well.

French fries: hard to quit
I tried to last a whole month
but could not make it.

KITTENS: THE NEXT GENERATION - The Porch Photos

2009-12-03T16:45:00.003-06:00

BABYDADDY

2009-12-03T16:17:00.003-06:00

These are exclusive photos of the father of both litters of kittens that were born here this summer. Initially, the Ugly White Cat was thought to be the banger of Mimi's overworked box, but as you can see here, all the apples did not fall far from the tree.

BOX OF 7"s: Episode 1

2009-12-02T17:32:00.003-06:00

Let's begin the journey through my box of seven-inch records, shall we? I've sorted them all alphabetically by artist and I counted them. There's 76! Here we go...

ANDON - s/t
199?, Dick Army Recs., Austin, TX

Everytime I look at this one, I think of Snakepit's quote about every seven-inch in the dollar bin represents some white boy's broken dream. That doesn't mean this record is a failure, it's OK. Standard 90s post-hardcore screamy chunkiness with some speedy parts. I'm sure I had a reason for rescuing this from the dollar bin, but I can't remember why. Some cute guy probably recommended it to me. I also like it when grandparents are thanked in the notes. Oh, and you know what? I found an old Sound Exchange gift certificate in the sleeve! I still had $8 in credit left!

BASEBALL FURIES - I Hate Your Secret Club
2001, Estrus Records, Bellingham, WA

What can I say about the Baseball Furies? A great band out of Chicago, by way of Buffalo. I became friends with these dudes when they got bumped from a show at Emo's and walked into Sound Exchange looking for a place to play. They did, and it was for me, another employee and a few shoppers with a high tolerance for volume. It was a great show that no one saw and impressed me. We got drunk together at Casino and the rest is party time history. This record has their first drummer, Dapper Dan, who was a cool guy that I've never seen again. What happened to him?
This is the first record they put out on Estrus and it's a good one. To me, it sounds like when you get drunk in an uncomfortable social setting. "I don't really wanna be here, but at least there's booze!" which leads to "Why is your boss so fat? I said, 'WHY IS YOUR BOSS SO FAT?" That leads to "Why are you mad at me? Are we leaving? No, I want another drink! Why can't I STAY?!"

BASEBALL FURIES - This is the Greatest Rock-n-Roll Record Ever!
1996, Big Neck Records, Buffalo, NY

This is the first Baseball Furies release, I believe. It's on grey marble vinyl and is hand numbered 116 out of 300. Not as good as their later tunes, but still pretty sweet. I wish I could find the picture of me and Jim from the Furies dancing to Pink's "Get the Party Started" on top of a van painted in Green Bay Packers logos.

See? $8.32!

BOX OF 7"s

2009-12-01T16:11:00.004-06:00

There's, like, 50 in there.

The floor lamp in the corner of my bedroom has a constant companion. It sits on the floor next to the lamp, hoping that one day I'll notice it whenever I switch the lamp on. It is a box of 7" records.
I was a casual collector, always on the lookout for records I enjoyed or was curious about. The job at Sound Exchange provided cheap and easy access. Unfortunately, after SE shut down, so did my habit of buying 7" records. In my opinion, most are too expensive to justify purchasing and that killed my interest. It's not like they weren't going to show up on some "B-Sides and Rarities!" compilation.
Anyway, my lamp's companion finally caught my eye last night and got me wondering as to what I should do with all these little guys that I don't listen to anymore. I remember all the songs, and I know a few haven't shown up anywhere else. So what do I do? I could keep them, but that seems unfair to the little guys. They'd be all hidden away in a blue box with a Powerpuff Girls sticker on it, unaware that someone may want to hear their inlaid monster jams. I know I'd never get what I want for them if I sold them to a local shop. I looked at popsike and noticed that a few of these 45s could go for $50! Do I even want to sell them? When I'm listening to each one, will I become nostalgic and promise to never let it go? Most likely, it'll be 50/50 keep and sell. Who knows?! Let's see what's inside shall we?...

FFF Update

2009-11-17T01:16:00.004-06:00

So, yesterday, in a fit of hangover, I ate half of a small order of fries. I couldn't think of anything else to eat and I was starving and felt awful from the drink-a-thon I'd had the day before. I did what came naturally. I got in my car and drove to the nearest fast food place. Returning to the crib, I sat in front of the TV and started in on my combo meal without thinking. As soon as the salty crispiness hit my tongue, I knew what I was doing was wrong.
I acknowledged this to myself and to my roommate, Mitch. He raised an eyebrow, but never stopped me. He knows I can make my own decisions. Thusly, I have decided to keep avoiding fries. I'VE GOT TO KEEP AVOIDING FRIES. Giving my body a break from endless bombardments of little grease missiles is a good idea. There will be small payoffs, like weight loss and a little fundage saved. These will help me keep off the tasty potato twigs. I hope it's enough!

Thanks, Why Travel to France!

KITTENS: TNG Update

2009-11-17T01:15:00.000-06:00

All the kittens have been adopted! Huzzah!

COMING SOON!

2009-11-10T02:07:00.000-06:00

This is actually in production!

FFF Update

2009-11-10T02:01:00.003-06:00

So, I'm still on the fry wagon after 9 long days. It's hard eating fast food and not getting combo meals! I fell off the chip wagon and succumbed to some tortilla chips, but at least they're not made of potatoes, right? I mean, that is still a clear step away from french fries. Today, Celina (who is also forsaking fries) are some potato chips right in front of me, and admitted to doing so more than once! No self-control!

GOOD VIBRATIONS

2009-11-05T17:26:00.004-06:00

So, remember that weed plant from the backyard I told you about? Look what it did!

It's nice not having to procure.

FUCK A BUNCH OF FRENCH FRIES

2009-11-05T02:36:00.004-06:00

SO, for the second time this year (I did it before I started this blog.), I'm giving up french fries and chips. The chips thing is an add-on, which I can or can't eat. So don't hate if I eat chips.
Anyway, the point is that I eat too many french fries. I'm a shitty fast-food eater. I eat a lot of that crap, and everything on those menus comes with fries. FRIES. Once described by a friend as "the sun of my food solar system", pomme frites are such a staple, it's like bread.
It's hard to quit, too. I have to order sandwiches only and it freaks out the drive-thru people. It isn't the easiest concept to get their heads around. Everything comes with fries! Lay off! I'm just trying to give my body a break, OK? Last time I quit FF, I dropped like 10 lbs. easy. That's the motivator. I wonder if it's beneficial to my heart? But who cares what your insides look like?
FFF! Fuck French Fries!

DON'T LET ME NEAR THEM BITCHES!

KITTENS:TNG UPDATE

2009-11-05T02:35:00.000-06:00

So, today, Sonny was adopted by a nice lady I know. Kudos!

KITTENS: THE NEXT GENERATION

2009-10-29T15:54:00.002-06:00

So! It is the fall, and thankfully so. It was SUPER hot for a spell and it was too hot to do anything, much less blog! Anyhoo, during this time our porch cat, Mimi, went and had another litter of kittens. And just like the last time, there were four. Ryan has already scooped one up and three remain.
Check them out.

The two little blond ones are coming along in the socializing department, but the dark, fluffy tabby is a real jerk. I call him the Hammer. He resists people in all manners, and the only way I can touch him is if he's eating and I sneak up. He's a dick.

This guy, on the other hand is turning out to be real nice. I call him Sonny. I think he's spoken for already, though.

Whaddaya Know!

2009-10-17T04:34:00.001-05:00

Two seperate and different people have complained to me about keeping this bitch up to date. About the content, too. I promise I'll do better.