MAPLEWOOD NJ RECORD FAIR 11/24/19

Maplewood Record Fair Sunday Nov 24th 2019

Maplewood New Jersey

Ok so this is a great record convention that takes place in the town I live in and is put on on by an older punk couple who love our community (and NJ in general).  This is Jenn and Charles second show, and they seem to be trying to do two a year at this point.  It’s organized very nicely. They’ve figured out how to make it work. I mean, who can argue with a $3 entrance fee with kids under 18 getting in for free?

I had so much fun at this event, and I was there all day. Usually I can’t stomach something like this for that long. But I was able to catch up with friends from within the community of Maplewood to those who traveled afar. I even bought some records!

The fair had well over 40 dealers who were selling everything from vintage stereo equipment to records. Michelle and Cedar Ridge cafe come fully stocked with vegan baked goods.

Some of the cooler stuff I saw being sold there were Metallica Justice promo posters of some sort. They were def in some dudes basement for the last 20 years.  Dude busted 50 of them out and was selling them for $10 a shot, they are very cool.  Saw some really neat guitars, and amplifiers. Dave Golgano is a NJ staple who always has great Metal records for sale. I watched him sell a Razor Armed and Dangerous rarity for big bucks.  Folks were selling boom boxes, cassette tapes, 8 tracks, cheap CDs, turntables, vintage clothing and more vinyl than you can imagine in this very cool old room called the Woodland. I mean this is the kind of convention you dream of with older punk dudes who have gone kids book artist selling off their entire collections to those of us lucky enough to be there.  Do you need the entire Neurosis back catalog on colored vinyl? Well he had it.  You need some Pushead Bacteria Sour releases? He had ’em. 90s emo, hardcore and punk 7”s? My man had ’em. You looking to buy your old bands 10” record back? Well I did it… he had it.

Its so awesome to see the young kids from the record collecting community involved as well.. sitting behind the tables wondering why their fathers and mothers are so excited about something you can actually hold in your hands as you listen to the music crackle and pop.

Seriously this was a great time, with basically every genre of music on every format imaginable available to people who are interested. I can’t wait for the next one in June.  If you live in in NJ, NY, or Philly don’t sleep on this event. (NW)

To find out about future fairs, contact: soundselusive (at) gmail.com

 

THE MIDDLE AGES • Self-titled LP

THE MIDDLE AGES • Self-titled LP

Ripe Records

You say you like the punk rock? If so, you’d be wise beyond your years to pick this long player up. It’s so good, or should I say great? I say great, because like any great punk rock this record makes you believe in all that is good about the music and everything that surrounds it.

The Middle Ages don’t crank out blazing fast punk, but that’s not to say they don’t rock and roll with abandon. It’s just they don’t bludgeon your skull with riffs and frantic speeds. Their power lies in super tight songs that bounce and careen around the room lodging themselves into your mental faculties for later recall hours after listening, and have a way of making you fiend for more. Give “Whoah Yeah” a spin and hear what I’m getting at. The dual vocals give these songs an extra punch. But they’re not delivered in an X way, or even a Nausea way. The Middle Ages have enough class to be their own band.

The vocals are clean and direct, and they sound so good together as when they go out on their own. The guitar stings at times, and rips like a saw blade other, and that bass sounds f’n sweet, as it holds the whole unit together, and the drums are undeniable. The guys are a perfect union. It’s down right life affirming. (MA)

Please send me your releases for review, and zines, if you have one. Thanks. PO Box 25604, Los Angeles, CA 90025

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

BLACK MOON RISING (1986)

BLACK MOON RISING (1986)

Director: Harley Cokeliss 

Writers: John Carpenter, Desmond Nakano

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Hamilton, Robert Vaughn , Lee Ving, Bubba Smith, Dan Shor, William Sanderson

Viewed On Prime-Good Transfer

The highlight of this movie is seeing one of Linda Hamilton’s boobs in the love making scene .

I’m not sure how I’ve never seen this one, I feel as though I’ve watched just about every other ridiculous action thriller made in 1986.  I was really surprised by just how far fetched and down right stupid the story is considering John Carpenter was involved in the writing.  Most of the time I’m not even sure what’s going on… Something about a CIA guy played by Tommy Lee Jones, who somehow gets mixed up in a car theft ring and the woman working it.  One of the cars stolen is a futuristic test car that Tommy has hidden some government secret in.  After it’s been stolen… He’s on the case. The acting is actually pretty good with tons of B list character actors thrown in here and there.  Lee Ving is pretty hilarious as an enemy of Tommy’s and sporting a Members Only jacket in one of the scenes.  The music/soundtrack is down right terrible. This film really is just about as 80s as you can get, reminding me of Knight Rider meets Rockford Files (Devon is getting a boner).  The highlight of this movie is seeing one of Linda Hamilton’s boobs in the love making scene .  (NW)

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Nate Wilson: NW  Devon Cahill: DC  Matt Average: MA

 

LOW FORM • demo tape (2019)

LOW FORM • Joyride demo tape (2019)

This is done by Western Mass punk hardcore guys who are playing more of an alternative style that gets me thinking of the late 80s or early 90s college rock scene (for lack of a better word).  Its really good especially for a three piece.  I’d say it has parts that sometimes remind me of the Cult, or even Danzig (just without the heavy). The recording is stellar with the song Purgatory really being the stand out to me, but the songs are all catchy as hell.  It’ll be interesting to see if these guys are able to move into getting into the vinyl game or finding a label to help them spread their word. (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

 

 

 

 

 

THE ELDER GODS • A P.O. Box Bomb and a Fire Hat 10″ EP

THE ELDER GODS • A P.O. Box Bomb and a Fire Hat 10″ EP

In short, the Elder Gods are pure id.

What in the world is this? Oh, it’s from Kalamazoo Michigan. Now it makes sense.
Kalamazoo was/is home to such bands as Violent Apathy, Thought Industry, Phil A. She-ohh & the Wet T-Shirt Contest, No Bails, etc. The Elder Gods fit perfectly into that family tree of the city’s underground musical heritage.

Of the six songs on here, two of them are covers (Circle Jerks “Red Tape & DOA “The
Prisoner”). Two of their originals (“It’s Good For You” and “1981”) are straight forward early 80s style punk hardcore whereas the other two (“I Am Satan” and “You Should Gnaw Your Own Neck Off”) lean more toward Th’Inbred or almost NOMEANSNO’s faster songs. The best part is that these six songs clock in at under 10 minutes total so you don’t even have time to get bored before one is over and another begins. The song “1981” sounds like it is from 1981 and fits perfectly onto any of the Master Tapes or Charred Remains comp(s). Also, the last line of the song leaves you on a positive message to never quit trying to do your best, “You might never be Lee Harvey Oswald but you can still be someone’s hero”. Keep this in mind, just because they do a couple classic 80s punk covers this band is not a retro rehash of the glorified good old days. I think it is pretty clear that they have a sound that reminds me of that time because it’s honest and they wouldn’t be able to do anything differently. In short, the Elder Gods are pure id.

They have a facebook presence but their band link shoots you somewhere creepy so if you want to pick up this 10inch you have to hit them up on Discogs. I think there are only 3 or 4 left, so act quickly. https://www.discogs.com/seller/zenandpinyin/profile

(JD)

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

CASUAL BURN • Mean Things 12″ EP

CASUAL BURN • Mean Thing 12″ EP, 9 songs

Handstand Records

I was pretty stoked to get this Casual Burn 12inch. The cover alone was intriguing to me because it reminds me so much of the cover of the “Smashed Hits” comp of singles by Red Lorry Yellow Lorry. I thought that if this record heads down the same path as Red Lorry Yellow Lorry’s early singles then I am in for a treat. Besides, other than Lost System, I haven’t heard a good goth band in a while. I put this 12 inch on and it’s not a treat. Look, it’s actually really good but I’m having a difficult time wrapping my head around it. If it weren’t for the distinct vocals of Monet Maloof, I would think that this was a compilation of bands or a compilation of all the bands that she’s been in. If you are a fan of Goner Records, Neck Chop Records, and some Emotional Response Records then this is definitely your tea bag. Sonically I’d say they sound mostly like they are influenced by the bands on those labels and Brain F≠ (Brain Flannel). In more detail, it’s a mix of garage and angular post punk. The vocals are hollowed and coated in reverb and there are some kinda hardcore parts, too. I can totally see why folks would love this but I just don’t have the ear for it today. What will most likely happen is that I’ll go to a friends house and they will be playing this EP. An exchange like this will happen:
Me – Wow, this is cool. What is it?
Friend – The Casual Burn 12″. I got it because of your succinct and honest review. I really like the way you did your best to not tie any emotion or disinterest in the music to the record and still managed to frame it in a way that made me want to find out more.
Me – I should dig this out again. I was probably having an off day.
Friend – Fair.
Check out more here.
https://handstandrecords.com/store/items/casual-burn-mean-thing-12-inch-lp/

(JD)

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

DEAD MANS LINE (2018)

DEAD MAN’S LINE (2018)

Directed By: Alan Berry

Viewed on Prime-Good transfer

“I’m a 44-year-old man.

I’ve never been drunk.

I’ve never been married. 

I’ve never been engaged. 

I’ve never gone steady.

I forsook marriage because I had a lot of responsibilities.

FUCK THESE PEOPLE!

They played God! And Lost!!”

I dig the way this documentary was put together.  Most of it is footage that was used (and some not used) from local TV and radio.  As you watch the film its almost as though you are seeing things happen in real time due to the incredible amount of film that was shot during this ordeal.  The footage mostly is able to tell a lot of the story on its own, allowing it to layout before you.  

This is a mostly unknown story about the very strange 1977 hostage taking of a mortgage president (Dick Hall) in Indianapolis Indiana.  Tony Kiritsis was an angry 44 year old “working class” man who thought he’d been set up by Hall’s company to ruin his life.  He went to the mortgage company, wired a shot gun around Dick Hall’s neck in such a way that if Tony was shot or subdued by the police or S.W.A.T. the gun would go off killing the hostage.  He then proceeded to parade his hostage up and down the streets of Indianapolis.  His use of vulgarity on the phone with radio stations, and picked up on live television  broadcasts must have been shocking for the time period.  What develops is nothing less than a media spectacle that turns into a 60 hour circus.  The documentary does a great job at telling the story of Kiritsis without making it confusing.  If you’ve never heard about this, I’d say this film is a great way to get educated about this bizarre case.  (NW)

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Nate Wilson: NW  Devon Cahill: DC  Matt Average: MA

MUTANT SCUM • self-titled LP

Mutant Scum • Mutant Scum LP

Handstand Records

This album came with a sheet of other reviewer’s online reviews and I tore that paper to shreds. I really didn’t want to read about what other people thought for two reasons.

Reading music writer’s written reviews nauseates me (and yes, I’m aware of the paradox). I like the reviews at Bad Transfer because I know the folks and trust their opinions. I was turned off by reviews years ago due to reading too many verbose nonsense descriptions of the music. Know what I mean? I really can’t take shit like “the guitars sound like orphans toppling down a flight of stairs to the back beat of thundering hail storms” et al. = gross

Why include other reviews with a review copy? You want to see if I can measure up to Rolling Stone or Metal Headache or whatever/whoever you also sent this to? Guess what, I can’t because A: This is not what I do for a living. I love music and I pinch these reviews into my free time between being a dad, husband, friend, employee and other slivers of everyday stuffs. B: I don’t think for a second that my words will in any way sway a person (you) into picking this up because I either like it or hate it. I’m betting that you’ve already decided.

So, here’s what is going on for me with this Mutant Scum LP. I really dig the cover of this. It harkens back to the days of high school art projects and my youth’s fascination with global nuclear devastation and whatever is left of humanity being forced underground to live. Seeing this cover, I was transported back to 1984 when I watched the Toxic Avenger for the first time with my friend Matt Kinney. Off the bat I’m intrigued so I took my iPod, wiped it clean and replaced the 10,000 songs with this Mutant Scum LP. I had around 8 hours of solid flight time booked for work so my plan was, that for 4 hours in each direction, I was going to immerse myself into this record and write the review on the plane. I didn’t do that. I tried to but I ended up turning it off and staring out the window for part of the time and watching part of the Dora the Explorer movie for the remaining time in transit. I was later in a hotel and able to sit down and get into this without distraction. Sound wise this a metal/thrash/sludge record. After I really opened up to this I started to get into it and following the arc of the album. Mutant Scum started
to remind me of the Cocteau Twins. OK, hear me out, not in sound insomuch but in the way that the singer of Cocteau Twins, Elizabeth Fraser, doesn’t sing words but she sings sounds and melodies over the instruments to add an entirely new depth to the music by using the voice as an instrument for conveying urgency and emotion without words. And Mutant Scum are doing the same thing! How cool is that! Mutant Scum is the Cocteau Twins of metal and thrash and sludge. Or so I thought. When I got home and pulled open the gate fold, I saw all of the lyrics to the songs. They are mostly about radiation, wizards, blood mentioned a few times, demons, slime and sludge, and did I mention blood? Oh, and they sing about skin problems such as melting off, mutilation, discolorations, itchiness, scars, all the usual skin problems, a dermatologists dream come true. Well, I guess they don’t mention sun burn but that is probably because they do sing about how cloudy it is all the time.

I have a great appreciation for anyone that is willing to put something out into the world. The time to build and practice the songs, create and articulate the vision, and the monetary investment totaled with the other points is commendable. This isn’t quite my thing but it certainly has a place in the world, or at least the underworld, or the world after global nuclear disaster when we’ve crawled from the sewers and relearned how to make record players work. The record is a radioactive slime green and you can buy your own from here:
https://handstandrecords.com/store/items/mutant-scum-mutant-scum-12-inch-lp/

(JD)

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

GOTHIC (1986)

GOTHIC (1986)

Director: Ken Russell

Staring :Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Natasha Richardson 

Viewed Streaming on Prime-Great transfer

Man, this was a very strange movie. I started off sort of hating everything about this flick for the first 15-20 mins and then suddenly I started to see the beauty of the camera work, the cool locations, the cool lighting etc.  The story then really started to get me enthralled and into the flick.  I mean, to be able to create a story that is based on how Marry Shelley’s Frankenstein was conceived is pretty awesome in itself.  It’s done in sort of a compilation style where everyone staying at Lord Byron’s mansion are to come up with a ghost story to share with the others.  The stories are all told not in the traditional sense.  Its all just one story fueled by and discovered by the use of hard drugs (opium), and sex (free love).  Oddly enough it is the acting that might keep me from thinking this is a brilliant film.  It feels to me as though everything is just over acted, and over dramatized.  Perhaps that was intended to make the viewer feel as though they were seeing it as a dream like story that wasn’t real?  Or perhaps I’m reading into things too much, I don’t know. What I do know is that I went into this hating on it (almost turning it off), to then getting so wrapped up in the story and the twisted personality of Lord Byron that I didn’t want to turn away.  Not the greatest film in the world, but it’s one I’ll never forget.  The ending is pretty awesome.   The title Gothic is pretty lame, and cheesy in my opinion.  It’s not clever, and just seems obvious.  If you can get past the negatives that I’ve played out here you’ll most likely enjoy Gothic.  (NW)

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Nate Wilson: NW  Devon Cahill: DC  Matt Average: MA

BUTCHER, BAKER, NIGHTMARE MAKER (aka Night Warning) (1981)

BUTCHER, BAKER, NIGHTMARE MAKER (aka Night Warning)

1981, USA

Starring:  Susan Tyrrell (Cheryl Roberts), Jimmy McNichol (Billy Lynch), Bo Svenson (Detective Joe Carlson), Julia Duffy (Julie Linden), Bill Paxton (Eddie)

Director: William Asher (Michael Miller, uncredited)

Music: Bruce Langhorne

Viewed:  35mm / Aero Theatre Horrorthon

Print Quality: Not great, but watchable

I remember the chills that ran down my spine the first time I dropped the needle on Mercyful Fate’s first EP and was totally blindsided by that blistering guitar solo that opens “Corpse Without a Soul.” I mean the song opens with the fucking solo! Thirty years later, my experience watching the opening scene of Butcher Baker Nightmare Maker was almost exactly the same. The first 3-minutes of this film are just so intense that it leaves you wondering where can it possibly go from here.

Turns out that one of the things that make that opening sequence so distinct is that it was born of a different director and cinematographer. Apparently, Michael Miller (Jackson County Jail) shot that bit with Jan Du Bont (Private Lessons, Die Hard) but both were fired and replaced by veteran TV show director William Asher and Robbie Greenberg (Lucifer’s Women, Swamp Thing) to finish it out. Somehow the final product works, though…and then some!

But then again, how could it go wrong with the brilliant casting of Susan Tyrrell (Forbidden Zone, Angel, Open All Night) and Jimmy McNichol (those fabulous McNichol’s) in the leads and Bo Svensen (The Inglorious Bastards, Inglourious Basterds) as the pathologically overconfident homophobic detective thrown into the mix.

It’s difficult to summarize much of the story without ruining half the fun, but I assure you Tyrell delivers and absolutely crushing, must-see performance as Aunt Cheryl, whose incestuous lust for her nephew Billy (McNichol) leads to some delightfully insane and ever-escalating consequences. William Asher deserves equal respect for his perfectly paced slow burn of Aunt Cheryl’s unraveling that builds to psychotic crescendo that is purely unforgettable cinema. Kudos, too, to the anachronistically positive portrayal of homosexuality embodied in Billy’s basketball coach Tom Landers played by perennial TV actor Steve Eastin. This film was truly ahead of its time.

For me this was the real standout in the Aero Theatre’s Horrorthon line-up this year and immediately skyrocketed to the top of my list of must-see movies to recommend.

It’s just nuts that this film still flies somewhat under the radar almost 40 years after its release.

(DC)

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Nate Wilson: NW  Devon Cahill: DC  Matt Average: MA