Excerpts from Electric Degeneration, Degenerate Press' semi-weekly e-zine, free and ad-free. A full episode contains sections for music reviews, upcoming events, blasphemy, classifieds, and anything else we feel like saying. If you'd like to subscribe just contact us.
You can surf the entire archive.
1/18/2004
EAR PLUGS
Friday I read a post on Friendster from the booking agent for Lenny’s, Bean. He
wrote that the fire marshal had paid them a visit so for that Friday they’d have
to limit admission to the club’s posted max, 90 people, and only allow 21 & up
in the door while the fire marshal made a return visit. We headed over to
investigate.
For some unknown reason, they were only allowing people to enter through the
back door and there was no reentry once you were inside, but otherwise I
couldn’t tell any difference between that and any other night we’d been there.
We were early, so the smaller crowd was expected.
Fridays they have “Kiss,” sort of a rock and roll dance party spun up by a fun
DJ. But before the pre-recorded rock cranked up we were treated to some live
music, courtesy of The Orphins.
I’ve heard this stuff labeled “no wave” a lot lately, perhaps a reference to the
fact that nobody knows what to call non-pop rock music these days. (I’m reminded
of an interview I did with The Titanics several years ago in which I asked them
what they called the garage-rock-sounding stuff they did. “Rock. Just rock,”
they answered.) No long ago, the music of The Orphins might have been called
“math rock.” It’s got shades of Devo in the uptempo repetitive guitar, and
sounds of Sonic Youth in the straining vocals. It’s pretty good stuff.
Next up, Annaray from Athens. They, too, had the modern rock stylings of Sonic
Youth with the energy of Nirvana. Either the whiskey I was drinking was kicking
in, or these guys were really good. Enjoyed it a lot and would like to see them
again. The small-but-growing crowd bopped along, or stood coolly by and
contained their enjoyment behind slight smiles. What’s cooler than cool? Being
ice cold, apparently. Goddamn, kids, it’s ok to show you like something!
I figured the room had more than 90 people in it, but the fire marshal came
through and inspected the joint and apparently had no complaints. He lurked
around for a while but I don’t think anything came of it.
It was a strange collection of 90 people too. The youth of today in their
battered 1984 Sears fashions mingled with a large group of skinheads in their
own counter-culture retro uniforms beside a pack of lesbians at the pool table.
And us, the aging hipsters, feeling simultaneously out of place and right at
home. Crap, it won’t be long before I’ve been going to that bar longer than some
of the younger patrons have been ALIVE.
Last up, Oxford Collapse from New York. Again, shades of Sonic Youth on vocals,
accompanied by spastic thrashing around and energetic guitar work, backed by a
drummer that plays so fast and consistent that his hands become a solid blur
over the high hat. I had to ask him after the set if he was a fan of Joy
Division and he nodded enthusiastically. I enjoyed their set so much I picked up
the CD for a mere $5 and I hope they come to town again and play to a crowd
considerably larger than 90 people. Some of the assembled crowd were fans
familiar enough with their tunes to yell out requests between songs, so
apparently I’m behind the curve these days. But hey, if this is what the kids
are into these days the kids are alright.
BLASPHEMY
It's funny, but it'd be funnier if it didn't hurt to read at the same time:
http://www.theonion.com/4002/top_story.html
In other news, we got this from degenerate AG:
Welcome back to the States. Georgians Opposed to Prohibition is screening a
new film on what to do if police pull you over or want to search you, and
we're debuting it during a party at the IAG Jan. 31. We're hosting the
party in conjunction with Dance Safe and Rock the Vote. You can find more
info here:
http://plurplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41734
 |
Take
me to Degenerate Press' home page! All content on this site is owned by Degenerate Press and cannot be used without our permission. We have lawyers for friends with nothing better to do than cause trouble (no kidding), so play nice. Copyright © 2005, All Rights Reserved |