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DJ Throatslice Brings the CREEP to Your Halloween
I’m officially stating for the record, Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. I love October with the change in weather, Autumn colors, pumpkin carving, mini candy bars, dressing up, and oh did I mention… it’s my birthday just a few days before Halloween? I grew up having the best birthday parties ever–many thanks to my mom. Often she’d turn me and my slumber party guests out to terrorize the neighborhood with rolls of toilet paper to throw up in the trees if my birthday fell on Devil’s Night. She’d dare us to stick our hand in the box of horrors which included brains (raw ground beef), eyeballs (peeled grapes) and worms (cooked spaghetti with soap). She’d then tuck us into our sleeping bags and put Monster Mash: Sounds of Terror on the record player to fall asleep to. Anyone ever try to fall asleep to a person buried alive trying to claw his way out of the coffin? I don’t think so.
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With all things scary and halloween-like ingrained in my soul, I was the instigator many times in conducting séances, calling out to Bloody Mary in the mirror, asking the Ouija board if Chris Hueter liked me (which I still have today, the Ouija Board, not the crush) and making it my mission in life (as a nine year old) to create the scariest recording on tape–ever. This included me and my friends taking my “old school” tape player (product of the 70s) into the basement and recording ourselves screaming, moaning like ghosts, rattling chains–you know, concocting all sorts of things that go bump in the night. What I would do to get my hands on one of those tapes just to listen to today! Well little did I know, just a few miles away from me lived a young boy in Beverly Hills, Michigan who had the same fascination as me. He loved Halloween from an early age and listened to many sound effects cassettes and records (like Walt Disney’s Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House and Ride Of The Headless Horseman) in his bedroom every October imagining scary graveyards and eerie haunted houses. While my mission was long forgotten after my tape player was sold at a garage sale, his persevered. He grew up to be DJ Throatslice. And for 2008, he’s created It Creeps!, a Halloween mix that offers up chills to the trick-or-treaters, dance grooves to Halloween party goers and a fiendish companion for your dark side when you’re alone and vulnerable (insert Vincent Price’s evil laugh here).
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C.R.E.E.P.S
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It Creeps! leads you into the dark side with the Blood Skull Trance. With its Twilight Zone feel, it sets up the mood and tone for the entire bewitching compilation. Burning Witches, the next track, has the creepiest computerized voice ever. When I listened to it via headphones for the first time, it literally gave me goose bumps. Next up, DJ Throatslice maneuvers out of the ominous with C.R.E.E.P.S, a techno tinged mix with electronic gurgles and screams as added ingredients, then on to Devil’s Night Dub with its gritty drum and bass hooks. And that’s just the beginning. It Creeps! is a classic Halloween album with both light and dark sides to the music. Some tracks are more serious like 666% and Burning Witches which have themes dealing with satanic serial killers and burning witches at the stake, while other tracks like It Came From The Portal and Surrounded by Werewolves are more of a tribute to the old ghoulish Disney and Pickwick Record’s Halloween classics with their spooky music and sound effects.
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The Way I Am
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Surrounded by Werewolves
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DJ Throatslice perfects the Halloween sound compared to much of the low-quality and cheap sound effects out there. What he adds is a gritty soul and beat to the music that makes it highly versatile so it’s fun to listen to and adds the ambiance needed to create the perfect spooky setting without the hokiness. So get on it, check out It Creeps! or his 2008 Halloween EP for yourself. There’s only 15 more shopping days until Halloween, the most fabulous holiday of the year.
Does It Offend You, Yeah? Dance Party, Please.
A couple of months back Kevin, our blog maestro, shared some tracks from a little band from Reading, England: Does It Offend You, Yeah? Being a slow summer for me music wise, my ears took immediate attention–this is just what I’ve been looking for. A mix of electro-rock, dance party and 80s new wave, their first full length You Have No Idea What You Are Getting Yourself Into was an album one could say had ADD but in a very good way. One minute, it will getcha thinking B-52s (Attack of the 60 ft Lesbian Octopus). Next minute, 80s style new wave: Dawn of the Dead (clip below) and Being Bad Feels Pretty Good. Another minute LCD Soundsystem with We are Rockstars. Now who doesn’t love cowbell? And then there’s With a Heavy Heart ala Rage Against the Machine.
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So when Seattle Subsonic was offered up the chance to go check them out at Chop Suey last Wednesday I was totally up for it as DIOY,Y? was the most played album in my iTunes library all summer long. Plus, I was especially ready for another dance party after seeing !!! at Bumbershoot and knew DIOY,Y? had the potential to produce.
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When I showed up at Chop Suey around 9 pm, I was a little worried. The crowd was pretty dismal and the energy level was low. I started to think, damn, there goes the dance party I was looking forward too. Meanwhile, the first band took the stage, a punk outfit out of NYC named Team Robespierre. That’s when people slowly crowded around the stage and energy levels started to rise. During their set more and more people began to trickle into the club just in time to for DIOY,Y?. At that moment, Kevin, who was also in attendance, said to me, “You may get your dance party yet!”
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We made our way over to the stage to set up camp. The band went on shortly after 10 opening with electro-infused Weird Science. Instrumentals were tight living true to form as if streaming seamlessly from the stereo. I turned around to check out the crowd and was happy to see that it numbered in many. And after their first song was up, as if reading my mind, James Rushent (vocal/bass), asked thru the microphone to “dim the lights, we want a dance party.” Yay! The set went on and the dance party ensued with DIOY,Y? playing every inch of You Have No Idea What You Are Getting Yourself Into however somewhere towards the middle, my right eardrum decided to give out to the loudness. Ouch!
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Featured as song of the day on KEXP:
We are Rockstars
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The best songs of the night were the instrumentals and the OMD like 80s prom songs (as I like to call them) straight out of Pretty in Pink. I was also surprised that many on the floor knew the words to their songs. Very impressive considering I haven’t heard them played once on KEXP. What was missing was the raucousness that I’ve heard much about “they sound dance and act rock” but I really only chalk that up to the fact that they were completely sober as mentioned a couple of times by lead singer James Rushent. Was it b/c Chop Suey doesn’t allow alcohol on stage? Or they just didn’t get a chance to drink beforehand? Either way, these guys are from England for crying out loud, give the boys some beer. All in all, a fun night. Seeing them live was the sticky tape that brought the songs together into a cohesive genre crossing package. Oh, and if you happen to find my eardrum on the floor of Chop Suey, please let me know. Just drop me a line over at Seattle Subsonic headquarters.
Telepathique Electronifies at the Paragon
Friday night after $1 PBRs at the Nitelite, I found myself stumbling into the Paragon to see Brazilian electro-pop trio (usually duo) Telepathique. The Paragon you may be wondering, well I was wondering too. I pretty much associate the crowd at the Paragon as where the Belltown scene was born. Guys with stripey shirts (why???) and girls with halters were there galore. However mixed in was a handful of the hipster persuasion, all in slight denial that they were actually hanging out at the Paragon.
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Not really conducive for any type of rock show to take center stage, Telepathique came out around 10 or so and crammed themselves into a corner of the packed Paragon with their computer gear, turntables and drum kit. As soon as the beats sounded, the belltown-like scenesters made their way to the back of the bar and the hipsters crowded around giving their full attention to the band. Telepathique, from Sao Paolo, Brasil, is normally just 2: Mylene with her sort of a disheveled Courtney Love meets Belinda Carlisle appearance on vocals and Erico Theobaldo, manning the drums, turntable and programming. Plus in attendance on Saturday was another Brazilian guy playing the guitar.
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Telepathique put on a pretty good show, one that would make many (even a Seattlite) get out to the dance floor with their mix of electro-pop, rock, and baile funk. You know, I’m beginning to love more and more the integration and blending of electronica into different genres of music (especially after seeing The Helio Sequence in July) . And I’m starting to figure out that the key to great live electro-<insert your genre here> is to create a seamless sound where computer beats mesh perfectly with the live instruments. This would be one of the critiques out of this past Friday’s show – when Erico kicked it on the drums, it distracted from the overall sound. Also, the vocals were sort of drowned out. But this could have been a problem with the venue too. Overall I’m glad I caught their act. Aside from the sound problems—they were there to please and have fun. Their attitude was infectious, well with the hipsters anyway.
Beck’s Modern Guilt — Mellow But Not Gold
A few weeks ago before Beck’s Modern Guilt was released, I heard the first single to hit the air on KEXP and I loved it. It was mellow, trip hoppy and had a new sound which got me excited to check out the album in its entirety. This hasn’t happened for me when it’s come to Beck in like, I dunno, 10 years or so. After Mutations, the ride on the Beck wave pretty much ended. His music went from quirky, catchy and original covering many genres to the same ol’, same ol – it all started to become indistinguishable from one song to the next. In other words, it’s been a long time since Satan Gave Me a Taco.
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Well yesterday, I got to take my first spin through Modern Guilt. And for the life of me, I cannot find that song that reminded me of trip hop favorites: Massive Attack, Zero 7 and Tricky. Huh? What was I smokin’? And now that I’ve listened to the disk like 10 times, I still can’t identify it. What I did find was a collection of 10 polished tunes, mostly standard Beck while others were good getting decent rotation during my peak listening hours. Pretty much, the sum of all parts equals good background music when shuffle is hit on my iPod. But will it make my top 2008 list, probably not.
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This time around, Modern Guilt is co-produced (along with Beck) by Danger Mouse who’s been making his rounds this year (The Black Keys’ Attack & Release, Gnarls Barkley’s The Odd Couple…). Modern Guilt starts off with Beck’s trademark sound: Orphans and Gamma Ray. Both could easily fit somewhere in between Midnite Vultures and Guero. It then weaves itself into Chemtrails, reminiscent of Brian Wilson with its 60s vintage surf rock sound. My favorite, and to really no surprise, is the title song: Modern Guilt. I can almost imagine Britt Daniel slipping nicely into the lead vocals and it becoming Spoon’s next big hit. Youthless and Walls come in at a close second. Both have an ease and groove about them that make it smooth like butter listening too.
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All in all, Modern Guilt is like putting on an old glove, fits comfy and snug but doesn’t have the wow factor of something new and super sparkly. However on the flip side, if this was Beck’s first crack at the music limelight, well, I would be talking a whole different story. This reviewer gives it a 6 out of 10 stars.
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Discounted Bumbershoot Tix
Just got an email thru KEXP and you can buy your Bumbershoot tickets now for $25/day — full price is $40/day. They do charge a $2 fee/ticket and a 3.75 handling fee per order when you check out (of course — no getting away from the stupid fees.) — but you still save 23%. Not sure if that’s better than the presale Starbucks’ price or not.
Anyhoo — if you want to check it out go here and enter promo code: 08-KEXP
Derby Shines – Posters Fade
Today Derby’s sophomore release: Posters Fade hits the shelves at your local record store. And I’m here to tell ya, you won’t be disappointed. Portland’s pop trio has put together an array of polished melodic gems just in time for your summer listening pleasure whether at a backyard barbecue or on a road trip. Derby will have your foot tapping and head nodding with their catchy mix of tunes reminiscent of 60s era pop music ala the Beach Boys and the Beatles with a modern indie feel. If you like the Shins, Sloan, possibly the Posies or anything in between, you are sure to love Derby.
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I’m almost embarrassed to say that I’ve about worn out my copy of Posters Fade already and it’s just only on the shelves today (bonus for writing on a music blog). It’s truly one of those records that you can listen to over and over again and not get tired of. I’m serious! Posters Fade takes you on a meandering stroll between songs with a smooth, Beatlesque feel (Why Don’t You Do It, Hopes, and Tree Tops) to the tried and true infectious indie pop songs that Derby does oh so well (check out: Streetlight, If There’s a Reason and All or Nothing).
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I have been a fan (and sort of a cheerleader) of Derby for a couple of years now and like many of their fans, we wonder… Why aren’t they up there with The Shins already??? They’ve got the goods: the looks, the charisma on stage, and the catchy radio, indie film and teen tv show friendly tunes. Unfortunately they don’t have a movie like Garden State to launch them, just yet… But I’m truly hoping that Posters Fade will set them apart from the pack b/c it’s definitely a stand out. If you don’t get a chance to check it out, your music experience this year won’t be complete b/c I have a feeling, it will be on many Best of 2008 lists. Well, it will be on mine anyway and a couple of other seattle subsonicites I’m sure.
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Nice job Nat, Isaac and Dave. Can’t wait to catch your next show in Seattle.
Exclusively Yours, Molly Shannon, Molly Shannon
Hey there Seattle Subsonic-ites! Wanted to let you know that one of our local favorites, Molly Shannon, Molly Shannon has given us their freshman release You think yr the Doctor, I think I’m the Sheriff for YOU to download for FREE. That’s right, if you wanted to stop by their website (or their no longer existing myspace page), the music is long gone. You can only get it here, exclusively on Seattle Subsonic.
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“Enjoy the album, and be a good friend and share it with those closest to you. ms,ms will be back once their new material is finished, until then great job!” — ms, ms
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If you haven’t heard of Molly Shannon, Molly Shannon before, I wrote a post on them a couple of months back styled as a letter to David Lynch. I thought they were a match made in heaven. Here’s a little teaser from the article to give you a taste of what they’re like: “When listening for the first time, you just might think you’re hearing Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse fronting a very raw lo-fi sounding Radiohead. While other tracks like Alice Liddell, and Debbie ‘Debra’ Gibson have a more ambient and entrancing feel that I believe would greatly succeed in a place where music and sound are featured in enhancing the visual art experience. Whether it be the backdrop to create the tone and mood of an intricate slow moving indie film, such as one of your own Mr. Lynch or possibly Mr. Kubrick’s if he was still around, to the background music at a soho art gallery opening accompanying darker avante garde art to further your perception and understanding of the piece.”
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I’m definitely looking forward to their latest & greatest and am happy that they chose us to serve up to you, this cool gift. So get it now before it’s going, going, gone!
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MSMS Photo by Cory Gustason
It’s Business Time
Get down to business and get your tickets to Sub Pop’s 20th Anniversary Festival. It’s a two-day festival at Marymoor Park on July 12 & 13 and a comedy show on July 11 at Seattle’s Moore Theatre. Proceeds from the sale of tickets will go to support beneficiaries of each participating act’s choosing. This lineup is not one to miss!
Lookie who’s going to be there:
Beachwood Sparks / Comets on Fire / Fleet Foxes / Flight of the Conchords / The Fluid Foals / Grand Archives / Green River / The Helio Sequence / Iron & Wine / Kinski / Low / Mudhoney / No Age / Pissed Jeans / Red Red Meat / The Ruby Suns / Seaweed / Wolf Parade / and more!
It’s $35 for a single-day or $60 two-day passes. Tix still available at SubPop.com and Ticketmaster. I’m excited, are you?
5/9/08 Update: Schedule is in (Thanks Christina!)
Saturday, July 12th
Fleet Foxes
Flight of the Conchords
The Fluid
The Helio Sequence
Iron and Wine
Low
Mudhoney
Pissed Jeans
Seaweed
Sunday, July 13th
Beachwood Sparks
Comets on Fire
Foals
Grand Archives
Green River
Kinski
No Age
Red Red Meat
The Ruby Suns
Wolf Parade
It’s a bird, It’s a plane…
It’s the pulsating sac of sound! Or in other words, it’s my old friend Chris Felax’s live radio show from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Chris spins new indie rock, electro, 80’s dance, pop culture snippets, new wave, techno and anything else that fits his fancy. Most music is so new that it hasn’t been released yet. Ever since I’ve known Chris (this goes back over 15 years ago) he’s been on the cutting edge of the music scene and owned more CDs than anyone else I knew in college (now having thousands of albums on his computer). He even taught me how to play Plush by the Stone Temple Pilots on the guitar. I know, I know, not cutting edge but I couldn’t resist mentioning. He also had this luscious long hair that would make the best of grunge rockers jealous. Oh, the early 90s! He was also in a short-lived band at the University of Michigan with Don Blum of The Von Bondies and Josh Tillingast of Transmission. Chris also goes by DJ Throatslice come October and has recorded his own home-brewed horror music made especially for Halloween and all things creepy that you can find on iTunes.
So lemme reel myself in here back to the point of this blog, the pulsating sac of sound! You should definitely check it out!
Station: WBOR 91.1 fm
Show Time: Tuesdays 8pm-10pm EST (or for us westcoasters: 5pm – 7pm PST)
Click here for the Live Webcast and here for the Show Blog
He even takes requests at: 207-725-3250. Chris, I want so more cowbell, play some LCD Soundsystem for me??? Please?
