31/5/15

“Gew-Gaw’s Journey To Nowhere Street”

(Gew-Gaw fanzine’s compilation of latter-day British and European psychedelia is as duffel-ya (mixed) bag as you could wisli for, ranging from the ridiculously sublime to the sublimely ridiculous in two bars and a quick-step. All but a couple of the artists featured should already be familiar to most of you so there’s probably little point in shopping on tracks other than to pick out the highlights with our wide-eyed beam: in no particular order we have Alan Davidson’s Kitchen Cynics and a gloriously subdued magic-carpet ride to faery-land entitled ‘\muddy Mistress’; Alan Tepper’s Fantassy Factoryy and his fearfully evocative, echoing ‘Book Of Hours’-his work unfsilingly reminds me of spirit, in this instance something from the ‘Spirit of 76’ sessions; our very own Nick Saloman’s Bevis Frond and a kaftan-blistering piece of guitar-led acid-rock called ‘Three Mile Wall’-no idea why this has remained otherwise unreleased until now to be honest, it’s a gem-Todd Dillingham’s whimsically tripped-out ‘Golden Girl’ and ‘Oh Wot A Bore’, the latter featuring the memorably catchy refrain “My face is melting, it’s dripping on the floor / can’t do anything about it. Oh wot a bore!”; Neal Heckford’s Art Snobs who turn in an extremely trance-like and rhythmical ‘No-thing-Ness’ (no doubt a few readers will remember Neal fondly from his ever-vivacious presence at Terrastock II) and Ross  Stephens Reefus Moons, donating the brilliantly introspective ‘Candle Moon’, a piece not dissimilar to Paul Roland and/or Nick Haeffner at their best in its delivery and composure. Elsewhere, the Smell of Incense out-petal the Petals on ‘(I Wanna Live In The) Golden State’, a song originally released as a flexi on some long-forgotten ‘zine of yesteryear; the increasingly fascinating German psychonauts Mandra Gora Lightshow Society somehow meld Mad River, the Elevators and the Marshmallow Overcoat into one glorious, coagulating mess on ‘Sundials In The Night’; Belgium’s Tribe of Cro lend us the inevitably Hawkwindesque ‘Hydrocultura’ (the title track of their last album, drooled over in Terrascope 25, although for some odd reason this wasn’t included) and to cap it all Purple Overdose trip over their own frills and laces with the middle-eastern influenced, almost Kaleidoscopic ‘Funny Decoration’. There’s at least three Purple Overdoses that I’m aware of: this is the Greek version, and sound equally as worthy as their Australian and American counterparts. Anyway, there we have it: a worthy successor to Freakbeat magazine’s forays into psychedelic compilations of a few years back, and with sleeve art to rival the same. Isn’t it interesting, incidentally, that a significant proportion of the better contributions to this collection are each principally the work of one person? Just a thought.
PTOLEMAIC TERRASCOPE No 27 Summer 1999)


track list

Chateau De Fleurs-memorial sleep (unreleased)
Todd Dillingham-golden girl (unreleased)
Mandra Gora Lightshow Society-sundials in the night (from a very rare single)
The Art Snobs-no-thing-ness (unreleased)
The Smell Of Incense-(i wanna live in the) golden state (unreleased)
Kitchen Cynics-muddy mistress (unreleased)
Tribe Of Cro-hydroculture (from their album ‘Ηydroculture’-different version)
Reefus Moons-candle moon (unreleased)
Barbie’s Dead-joy (unreleased)
Fantasyy Factoryy-books of dreams (unreleased)
Bevis Frond-three mile wall (unreleased)
Purple Overdose-funny decoration (from their album ‘Solemn Vision’-different version)
Todd Dillingham-oh wot a bore (unreleased)
Melting Ashes-angels of sunrise (from their album ‘Green Fuzz 1987’-({very} long version)

29/5/15

NICOLAI VILHELM TELL interview



I had acquired Før Lyset Forsvinder (Orpheus-2007) of Nicolai Vilhelm Tell in 2010. An amazing psychedelic album, which included some songs that are truly diamonds, influenced mainly by the respective English sixties bands. Since then, our Danish friend was not released anything else ,until they came our "own" Crystal Thoughts inviting him to record a song that exists in their new incredible album .. Some questions were sent, and here the answers!!!!

When do you remember yourself first time involved with music & how your story begins?
Well it started when I was about 6 years old. My mom and dad bought me a pair of drumsticks, then I knew that I would like to play and make music. I sat and listened to my dad’s old records and laughed of the lyrics. I thought the were strange, but they stuck in my mind and inspired me later on.
I went on Music school, to learn how to play Guitar, for about 12 or 13 years! I’ve only learned to play guitar, all the other instruments I play are self-taught. I played in the usual bands that played the songs of big bands and then, after a couple of years I started to make my own music. Now i´m playing psychedelic rock.
In 2007 we got your amazing debut "Før Lyset Forsvinder" LP by Morten Aron's Orpheus Records. Tell us about it...
One night I was eating dinner in 2002, Morten Aron rang me up! He had read that I sought some musician to play in a Psychedelic rock band. Then he asked me, if I knew Orpheus records? I did! I already had a couple of their releases in my record collection! He asked if I was interested in sending some of my music to them? And of course I was.! Then some time after he send me a E-mail that they wanted me to make a record! At first I would record the album with other musicians playing together with me, but I never thought that it sounded real so I stuck with my own recordings!
Morten Aron asked me, if I would play organ in a band called Ghost Rocket, that he was forming and of course I would! Then my project with ”Før Lyset Forsvinder” was put on hold. But in 2006 or 2007 Ghost Rocket broke up and I thought ”now or never” and Orpheus Records agreed, and then it happend!!!!
The recordings where made in a small room at my parents house and I had to play quit calm because of their neighbor. So that’s the secret about the lo-fi sound!
What about the Tea Company? Are you still active? We checked out few audio tracks & a half-hour gig on YT only. Any recordings, future plans?
Well The Teacompany was thought as a recording project. I was thinking of making a concept album or a Rock Opera about this imaginary town called Mushroom Town. Then I thought ”Why don’t I make a band of my own” Then I started Nicolai Vilhelm Tell & The Teacompany! We played a lot of concert and went on a small tour in Denmark with a Psychedelic blues band called Syreregn! We never got very popular but we played a lot of concerts! Sadly we broke up after a couple of years, it never became what I dreamed of.
I still have a dream of making the record about Mushroom Town and I’ve got all the songs for the album and who knows, maybe some day in the future I’ll make the album through Giraffe Pressings!
A psychedelic organ & drums duo called K.O.T. few words please...?
One day I talked to a good friend. I knew him from when we went on Small Children Teacher College! We’ve played in a band called Antique Peppermint. Well we was talking about getting together again
and play some music! We agreed that it only should be the two of us, me on Hammond organ and Nicholai on Drums!
It clicked from the very start and we actually have enough material for a record but we haven’t got the money yet! So you’ll have to wait some time, but it will happen!
Early 2015 & a great collaboration is on the table...Crystal Thoughts & Nicolai Vilhelm Tell - Inside The Temple LP!! Recorded material between 2013-2015 is in the works. How? Any info about the vinyl's release?
I’m so psyched up about this collaboration! Spiros Rouchotas wrote to me that he was about to make a record and if I would be interested in having one of my songs on it! I answered ”yes of course”. We went back and forth about what song it should be but then we agreed on ”Sofies Verden”.
So it will be a two edition release! A Gimmick edition of 150 h/n copies with Open-Windows Cover and a Privé edition of 50 h/n copies including the Rotating Temple/Giraffe Blacksmith!!! It will be released in mid or ultimo June and I just cant wait for June to come It’s the first time in eight years that one of my songs will be released!!!! So, Greek Psych meets Danish Psych…. A great collaboration and who knows, maybe it’s not the only time we’ll make a record together!!!!
What are your current music influences?
Much of the music that have made an impact on me is Danish psych rock from the sixties and early seventies like Alrune Rod, Bifost, Ache and Skousen og Ingemann. But also Swedish bands like Bo Hansson, Fläsket Brinner, Träd Gräs och Stenar and a newer swedish band called Hedningarna. Maybe it’s because that I have Swedish blood in me that I’m drawn towards Swedish Psych/Folk music. Who knows 
So, any future plans?
Well a lot of my plans I’ve already outlined, but my goal is to release The Teacompany and K.O.T in a not to distant future! Maybe start a psych band so my music can be heard live and play live with K.O.T is a great dream!
Anything last to add?
Just that it’s been a privilege to get the chance to tell about a very important thing in my life…. MUSIC!
Remember to check some of my music on youtube www.youtube.com/user/MrNicotoss/videos!

18/5/15

gew-gaw #3

(2003)


Purple Overdose, Lamp Of The Universe, Oophoi, Quarkspace, Brown’ Nose, Painted Air etc.



Gew-Gaw’s Quadraphonic Snail” (Nowhere Street Music)


compilation cd Free with gew-gaw#03

(gg483/cd)



                                                      

Yesterday’s Thoughts-I’ don’t love you (unreleased)

Nick Bensen-flying into the sun (unreleased)

Effeto Doppler-cometa (from their album ‘Indifferenticiely’-different version)

Lenin’s Modem-the unquiet federation (unreleased)

Baby Woodrose-maya (from their album ‘Blows Your Mind’)

Murmurs Of Irma-mannequins (from their album ‘Clouwatch HQ’)

Kitrinos Daktylos-trip hope (unreleased)

Lamp Of The Universe-love (from their album ‘Echo In Light’)

Seid-the tale of the king on the hill (from their album ‘Among The Monster Flowers Again’)

Nick Bensen-no resistance (single version of the song which appears on album ‘No Resistance’)

Brown’ Nose-golden sunshine (from their album ‘Life Is Question’)

Sweet Green-as the tide (unreleased)

Color Cacas-electric chair (from a single of Swamp Room Single Club)

Translucent-in high coloured cloud (unreleased)

(+ a great secret track.)
 

14/5/15

IMPURITAN interview



I did not know Impuritan until Alex Iliopoulos (Greek-American) sent me their first cd album called "look like nothing happened". One great psychedelic rock album, full of trippy songs and also with some experimental and dark elements.



Brick and Mortar liveIntroduce us the band. When did you actually start?
Impuritan (http://www.impuritan.net) is me, David Molina, and Pepe Abad.  David and I are multi-instrumental (covering guitar, bass, keys, and vocals both live and in the studio to varying degrees on different songs). We use loops and David handles electronics. Pepe is our drummer/percussionist.

I started Impuritan as a solo recording project in 2005 while living on the US east coast.  It became an actual band in 2011 a few years after I moved to San Francisco. David and I were mixing & producing the first EP "Hijacked Artifacts, Treasured Forms" (http://distantspore.bandcamp.com/album/hijacked-artifacts-treasured-forms) when he joined the band.

Our friends Owen Grace and John Lee played bass and drums respectively for a while, and recorded with us on a few songs from our LP "Make It Look Like Nothing Happened" (http://distantspore.bandcamp.com/album/make-it-look-like-nothing-happened).

The current trio has been together for over a year and we've toured together.  We have a US east coast tour planned for September, and are currently recording eight new songs.

The production of the record is by you?  Who is responsible for your sound?
David and I mix and produce all Impuritan recordings. We mostly self-engineer and self-record, but basic tracking for past releases was done at Tiny Telephone studios with engineer Ian Pellicci.  All of our new material 100% is self-recorded with a mobile studio setup.

Both David and I handle mixing and production. David has years of sound engineering and music production experience, plus a keen ear and technical proficiency. We have a real blast working together and feed off each others' ideas naturally.  Our recorded sound is a direct byproduct of many hours and days of work. We know better than anyone else what we want things to sound like.

Which are the first sounds that you remember?
Eastern tones and scales were some of the first sounds I remember hearing, other than pop music my parents listened to when I was young. I grew up in the Middle East and was exposed to Arab culture from a young age. So my first music exposure was definitely a mix of eastern sounds (amplified prayers in mosques) and the western/American pop my parents would listen to on their stereo.

Greek folk music also has lots of eastern tonality. Incidentally, American surf music has the same tonalities, a kind of west-meets-east via reverb-drenched guitar and high energy. Even early sounds have a lasting impact.

Do you know anything from greek music?
I think the most influential "classic" Greek music for me is rembetika.  Its roots involved hash-smoking in caves and playing music in secrecy. There are not many original recordings of those songs, but people replaying them instead.  There is something romantic about that.

Acid Baby Jesus are a fun band and I like their music, but you wouldn't know they are Greek from the sound of their songs. I don't listen to much contemporary Greek music to be honest. I'd love some tips from you, George, on good Greek bands that are underground, non-pop, or trippy. (Check the Crystal Thoughts, Yesterdays Thoughts, Purple Overdose, Social End Products…..)

Which musical styles forced you to form a band?
Brick and Mortar live
Impuritan is a real mix of influences.  We are lovers of post-rock, psychedelic, shoegaze, surf, ambient, punk, and experimental noise.  Our specific influences would vary if you ask each person, but there's also lots of common ground.

If I start listing individual bands and artists that influence me, we'll be here a long time.  I am personally a big fan of bands that have taken noise and sculpted something of beauty out of it, such as Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine.  Fuzzy guitars, feedback, and the weird tones of psych music have played a big role, as have bands that use unconventional song structures.

We have musical heroes from every decade, basically.  I always like to hear what influences people hear in our music - sometimes it's bands I don't much listen to.

Non-musical influences play a role too. Film, visual art, cosmology, philosophy, and of course relationships with people.  It's hard to run out of inspiration when there are so many interesting thoughts and ideas in the world.

 What kind of music did you hear as a child? Nowadays what kind of music do you like most?  Do you believe that your musical influences are reflected in your music?
I think all musicians and music-obsessive people naturally grow more eclectic the longer we explore what's out there.  I originally played clarinet and trumpet starting age 8 or so. What I learned to play guitar on was grunge, punk, and metal during my early teens.  In my early 20s I dove deeper into 60s psychedelia, old soul music, surf, and experimental genres. It's been an ongoing process of seeking newer sounds and tracing your influences' influences back further.

Today, many bands that fit under the "psychedelic" umbrella are most enjoyable to my ear provided they are doing something interesting and not just rehashing the 60s.  The list is always changing.  My rotation is old favorites (classic punk and old metal) mixed with contemporaries like Thee Oh Sees, Laika, Serena-Maneesh, and Ty Segall.  I don't like making lists because I feel like I'm always leaving something out!

Your album is out on cd. Are you interested of making a vinyl release?
We are definitely interested in releasing vinyl.  Vinyl and cassette have seen a resurgence in popularity. I think it's because those formats pay tribute to a time when finding and listening to music took more effort on the listener's part, and wasn't a stepping stone to digital duplication.

The only limiting factor for vinyl so far has been manufacturing cost.  We'd like to do a split release with another band of our ilk, or work with a label to make a vinyl release happen.

Have you been members in other bands? How you would describe your music?
David is involved in so much it's hard to keep track. Some of his other bands include Ghosts & Strings and Earthlike, plus he's done a ton of film scoring and soundtrack work.  He plays with Idris Ackamoor of The Pyramids, and also has an ambient solo project called Transient. He and I actually did a duo show as Transient vs. Impuritan once, with me on noise guitar/loops and him on many instruments, samples, etc. doing pure improvisation. It was off the hook and lots of fun.

My old bands in Washington DC were Psychic Twin and Red Right Return.  Here in San Francisco I played with a band called Spiral Bombs shortly before Impuritan came together.

Pepe's old band from Peru is called La Ira De Dios, who he played and toured with extensively.

We generally call our music "experimental rock" because people's eyes may glaze over if you throw out four or five genres for a single band.  It's psychedelic, but also more than that.

In your hometown are any other bands with similar sound?
San Francisco has always been a hub for counterculture, progressive thinking, and honoring "the underdog."  There is a vibrant music scene both here and in the East Bay.

Unfortunately, it has also become the most expensive city in the US (not a good thing for art and creativity). Lots of musicians have been pushed out and relocated to Oakland and other parts of the East Bay were life is more affordable.

The music scene is still vibrant here.  You can see a good live show or art event almost any night of the week if you are adventurous and know where to look.
Who made the cover art? This creepy skeleton how is connected to your music?
ImpuritanJohn Benko did the cover art for our LP. He has a fantastic and unique style.

The image actually ties into the title of the album. Earth is an ancient place compared to our tiny human lifespans. Much older forms of life have no doubt been buried by meteor strikes or geological events.  The skeleton on the cover is an imaginary creature.

This planet has a talent for making it "look like nothing happened".  What physical trace will we leave if humans went extinct?  After enough time, possibly nothing.

The lyrics of 'Show us your hidden daggers' are referred to. 
The song title is a calling to people to unleash hidden desires or repressed imagination. The only lyrics in that song are the refrain, "Your dormant dreams." The abstract, fantastical, and creative is often at odds with a materialistic and money-driven society.  But thoughts and imagination are really the true weapons of change. They are our hidden daggers.

How people respond to your music at the internet and to your live shows?
People seem to really enjoy our music. We've gotten positive reviews from all over the world.  I believe that our sound may not be for everyone or geared toward mass appeal, but those who gravitate towards psychedelic, experimental, or noisier rock music really enjoy what we do.

The internet is a blessing for reaching people's ears, but it can be tough to get people's genuine attention. We are all constantly bombarded with music online, and not all of it good.  I like to think great music will naturally rise to the top even in this new medium.

For live performance, we've been using visuals and projections at our shows increasingly more.  Not because it's kind of trendy at the moment, but to put people into a different head space and alter their consciousness naturally via their ears and their eyes.

I assume that this is your own label, isn't it? DIY  is it the best way for your music?
Distant Spore is our own label, correct.  If a record label is interested in working with us, we'll be very receptive.  It's just not our style to sit around and wait for others to make things happen.  If you are making art you believe in, you should do everything you can do spread it to as many people as possible.

We have been recording eight new songs so far this year.  Our rough plan is to put out four of them as an EP on Distant Spore.  We would ideally like to get an indie label that is enthusiastic about our music to release the other four songs in some type of format. Either way, we're 100% committed to creating and playing our music.

How do you write your songs (music and lyrics)? Is it a team work?  
We collaborate with songwriting now more than ever.  Sometimes I come to practice with song ideas and pre-written parts, which we usually combine with other sections or sounds we create through pure improvisation.

It's really a mix. We consciously try to blend conventional composition and structured parts with more chaotic, dissonant, or ambient sounds.  Improvisation is always in the equation, both live and on record.

David and I are both sound junkies, so we are always tweaking and refining parts till they feel right to us. I am a bit more of a words guy, so I like to have my hand in the lyrics when I can. Pepe also has good fundamental instincts when it comes to feel, vibe, or arrangement of a song.  The fact that we're able to create quality, raw stuff regularly out of improv is a real blessing.

Which are your future plans?
We are recording 8 new songs right now, and still trying to determine how they will be released (at least one new EP will be out soon).  We are also playing an Austin Psych Fest/Levitation pre-show on March 7 in Austin, TX (https://www.facebook.com/events/693038427508609/).  We plan to do more consistent touring, and may even come to Europe and Greece soon.  Label support would help us widen our tour scope and schedule.

Our music is also well-suited to soundtracks and scoring, and we'd love to work with other visual artists or filmmakers by either contributing our music or creating unique music in a more collaborative approach.

Anything else that you would like to add?
Nothing else to add, really.  Thanks for your support and we're glad you enjoy the music!

10/5/15

MUERTE PAN ALLEY Clunk & Sputter





S.a.p. Recordings

The Canadians Muerte Pan Alley composed by Bob Keelaghan (guitar, vocals, banjo) Jason Woolley (drums), both from Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, as well as Rob Oxoby (bass) from Mutilators. The Clunk & Sputter is their first album and contains 12 crazy country, (sometimes) dark blues, etc songs that dripping alcohol and genuine merciless pounding country, no kidding!! Raw sound, voice that really you'll expected at any moment it will explode from the tension. Recorded with the classic country way this album will delight fans of this style. The others will be satisfied with the "refined" americana!! As for me I probably will hear some time again, but with impatience, the country / punk frenzy of yalla and the blues debris this is a soul of a man!

Οι Καναδοί Muerte Pan Alley αποτελούνται από τους Bob Keelaghan (κιθάρα, φωνή, μπάντζο) Jason Woolley (ντραμς), και οι δυο τους στους Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, καθώς και τον Rob Oxoby (μπάσο) από τους Mutilators. Το Clunk & Sputter είναι το πρώτο τους άλμπουμ και περιέχει 12 παλαβά κάντρυ, (ενίοτε) σκοτεινά blues κλπ, τραγούδια τα οποία στάζουν αλκοόλ και γνήσιο ανελέητο κάντρυ σφυροκόπημα, όχι αστεία!! Ξερός ήχος, φωνή που πραγματικά θαρρείς ότι από στιγμή σε στιγμή θα εκραγεί από την ένταση. Ηχογραφημένο με τον κλασικό κάντρυ τρόπο το άλμπουμ αυτό θα ενθουσιάσει τους φίλους της συγκεκριμένης μουσικής. Οι υπόλοιποι θα αρκεστούν στην “εκλεπτυσμένη” americana!!  Εγώ πιθανόν να ξανακούσω κάποια στιγμή, με αδημονία όμως, τον κάντρυ/πανκ παροξυσμό του yalla καθώς και το blues συντρίμμι this is a soul of a man!

9/5/15

gew-gaw # 02

interviews and articles
Into The Abyss, Mother Superior, Carrots, Grass Harp, Fifty Foot Hose,
Mellotron, Mandra Gora Lightshow Society etc.

  









Gew-Gaw’s Stereophonic Dodman”
cd compilation 
                                          

 

The Voyage Limpid Sound-the owl ((from their album ‘Electronically Enhanced Dream’-totally different version)
Burnt Noodle-down look down (from their album ‘The Noodle And The Damage Done’)
Into The Abyss-psychopompe (from their album ‘Adrenochrome’-specially remixed for this compilation)
Morte Macabre-apoteosi del mistero (from their album ‘Symphonic Holocaust’)
Carrots-snow white (from their album ‘Saving Chocolate Coins’)
Harvest Moon-standing high, staring low (unreleased)
Liquid Zoo-statue (from their album ‘The Return Of The Fever tree’)
Trip Hill-swomi (from their album ‘Takes From Oblivion’)
Jack Of All Trades-around and away (unreleased)
Quarkspace-prince (from their album ‘The Hidden Moon’)
Translucent-it’s all valid (unreleased)
Mandra Gora Lightshow Society-point me at the sky (from the album ‘A Swamp Room Happening 2000’’)
The Aarwells-stardust in your eyes (unreleased)