Review: Gone - Pong (2014)

Wow. First post of the new year, and I believe my first review ever! I thought I'd have to really dig down & describe a bunch of tunes, but looks like SoundCloud's gonna bail me out.

Just recently got to catch one of my main favorites, Pong (#3 of 2010, #1 of 2005) here in Houston again, for the first time since those #1 Live Shows of 2010. The occasion was releasing an all-new studio album, Gone, on Saustex Media. Buy the LP or CD from them here, get the CD or MP3 from Amazon, or AAC format on iTunes.



"Still Here" [live 2012], from Gone (2014)

That opening track started cropping up on live YouTubes awhile back, at least 2012 as shown there. "Still Here" kicks up a ruckus & kicks off some kind of general overall theme: being here or there, wanting to be elsewhere, going or being gone, a longing nostalgia / time travel... perhaps even survival. "They may be gone, but we are all still here." Experience the studio version via Pong SoundCloud.




My personal pick to click, "Livin in the Future" does best that relatively laid-back Pong mid-tempo stroke. Fits in a lot without goin' totally nuts (see next), catchy as hell from the beats on up. Various nice guitar parts that build to a funky blowout. That's a really well-constructed pop song there!




Uncork the nuttiness now. This one goes back at least to that 2010 Cactus in-store, when they were releasing the previous album. "Fish Sauce" is brewed from like The B-52's, Devo... I dunno, Mr. Bungle or maybe Fishbone (dat skankin' bass). Also, Gilligan's Island, Tootsie Pops, maybe Nilsson even? So much guitar texture: crinkly rippling, ersatz island slack-key, Morse Code. And the theme reappears.



"Electronic Friend" from Gone (2014)

I'm gonna back up a bit to the 2nd track. As explained over at Blurt Online, it's about a free iPad. And there's an official video.

Okay, cool.




I don't think Pong has ever done anything like "Sleepwalker" before - so normal-ish, like in a sincere Ween mode. A sleepy longing vibe, until... the wake-up? So Shane basically likes to get hit everywhere but the face? Ow! "Being dumb could be a virtue. OH NO!"




Whoa, new girl Kerri Atwood (only 5 years!) gets a full-fledged lead vocal - very nice. Like the song, like the driving momentum, love the breakdown. Frame it! Bury it! Walk twenty paces away!

"Lyman" is the drummer of Pong.




And "The Spot" finishes up the album. Kind of smoldering for awhile, it builds & builds, moving forward, but with lots of subtly ranging accompaniment (the music part). Solid wrap-up, good record!

Given that we're talking Pong, my range of reactions was limited and predictable. But I'm really happy with this one already.

Enjoy!!

More of Unknown Psychists

The annual official APF Al Lover mixtape will do a better job than me - but unfortunately, not yet downloadable. Whyyy???




Okay, let's 'finish' (?) the work started in previous 2014 Psych Fest Big Names, Stuff For Me, and Unknowns I posts. This shall be: Unknowns II... I'm sure I still haven't covered some.



"30 Past 7" by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, from Float Along - Fill Your Lungs (2013)

'Stralia! Well, in one post we've gone from unorthodox Psych Fest participants to perhaps a prototypical one. Nice selection scheme by me! Here's another official video: "Head On/Pill" and their Bandcamp-ish page.



"Lucifernandis " by Boogarins, from As Plantas Que Curam (2013)

I've generally liked the modern psych rock coming out of South America, and this sounds to me good & hippie. Here's another official video: "Despreocupar."



"These Days" by Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, from On Welfare (2011)

Guadalajara, Mex. Just like Has A Shadow, but different music. Here's another official (?) video: "What's Holding You?" Little more rockin' one there... and their Bandcamp.



"No Place to Go" by The Oscillation, from From Tomorrow (2013)

I have a feeling I might be going to catch this band. Check out their YouTube channel for more official videos, going back a full 6 years! (TAFKA The Orichalc Phase). Waitasecond! I'd actually heard this one song before: "Saturn 5" (live). Here's their Bandcamp as well.



"Trouba" by Steve Gunn, from On A Steady Diet of Hash, Bread, and Salt compilation (2012)

That's from a free download comp of Greek folk covers. I've seen this guy's name around some, and would have associated it with free-/freak-folk - so far, so good! Bandcamp's are mostly from various labels: Paradise of Bachelors, Three Lobed Recordings, and 3-Lobed again.



"Lithonia " by Circuit des Yeux, from Overdue (2013)

Indiana, huh? I've lived there! Here's their Bandcamp. Like all Indiana bands, since I wrote that first sentence, they've now relocated to Chicago.



"Livin' Free" by The Young, from Dub Egg (2012)

Is this the right The Young? That's one ungoogleable band name. Here's another official video: "Dance with the Ramblers." Ah, just noticed they're from Austin, TX. Okay, cool.



"Redness Moon" by Fantasmes, from Redness Moon (2012)

Because of geography, I was going to guess Mexico (again), but they're from Puerto Rico. This does not make me racist! So... here's another official (?) video: "Play It Wrong," and their Bandcamp.



"Zo No Senaka" by Kikagaku Moyo, from Kikagaku Moyo (2013)

[***very NSFW Jodorowsky film video***]

Hey, I guessed Japan correctly!! Bandcamp!

Unknown Psych Festives Explored

Well, we've taken a couple of looks at announced line-up for the 2014 Austin Psych Fest: first the top-billed, and then more of the known quantities. So now, I'm going to try to explore some of the complete unknowns - probably not covering every band named for the fest.



"No. 1 Against The Rush" by Liars, from WIXIW (2012)

"Brooklyn dance-punk"... yeah. Supposedly, that doesn't say it all, but everything I heard was pretty in line with exactly that.



"From the Sun" by Unknown Mortal Orchestra, from II (2013)

What is this? I just... Okay, "So Good at Being in Trouble" is a bit closer, but these seem a bit odd choices for Psych Fest.



"Lamborghini Meltdown" by Tobacco (ft. Zackey Force Funk), from LA UTI (2010)

Hey, I know a little bit. The guy in Tobacco is also from Black Moth Super Rainbow, and has worked with Beck. Although I probably have more sympathy for this experimental maximalism electro-funk, these 'unknowns' are ranging pretty far afield from trad 'psychedelic' music.



"Nous Etions Deux" by La Femme, from Psycho Tropical Berlin (2013)

That's French tropicália coldwave, non?



"Rat House" by Shannon & The Clams, from Dreams in the Rat House (2013)

Garagey weirdos, with an electric jug? Bones Brigade as directed by John Waters? Okay, making more sense...



"Awa Adounia" by Terakaft, from Kel Tamasheq (2012)

Not what I was expecting from the band name. I'm down with this kinda stuff, although I do realize you could make an equally valid argument against its Psychfestivity as I would against, say, Unknown Mortal Orchestra.



"One" by Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, from Uzu (2013)

I'm a little confused. What does it mean to "pay tribute to the extended group's indigenous upbringing?" I'll check out some more of the music before delving into the upbringing of the extended group.



"Sonic Pearl" by Destruction Unit, from Two Strong Hits 7" (2013)

Stonery grungeness, or post-punk gothic?



"Shine Your Light" by Gap Dream, from Shine Your Light (2013)

Sparkly. Now that's exactly what I thought it would sound like, based only on the band name. What do I win?!

Looks like I might have the makings of 2nd 'unknowns' post. This one left me a little... unsatisfied. (Not that I've totally passed judgment anywhere just yet.)

Austin Psych Favorites

Gonna be a lot like the previous APF post yesterday - but this time, it's personal! Some of the involved bands that I'm already super-geared up for...

Once again with a minimum of yakkin'.



"Sonic Prayer Jam" by Earthless, live at Winter's Womb III,
The Casbah, San Diego, CA (01/21/2012)

YES!!! Never seen Earthless before - #3 of 2008, shoulda-been's of 2007, and #3 of 2005. Psyched!

Barn Owl - Turiya from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Wait, I mentioned these drone magicians at the end of the last time, right? O well, we're talking #8 of 2011 and #11 of 2010, and greatness beyond.



"Dream Odyssey" by Mono, from For My Parents (2012)

Occasionally mellow, until they aren't. Mono (#4, 2009 and #5,2006 among others) have been very good to see live (#7 Live, 2009 and #10 Live, 2010).



"Mazes" by Moon Duo, from Mazes (2011)

From year before last, Moon Duo (#11, 2013) were awesome fun (at A.P.F. and #7 Live, 2012).



"To Clean" by Woods, from Songs of Shame (2009)

Woods has been on a 3-album Top 10 tear, and mighta gotten the previous in there somehow: #9 of 2012, #7 of 2011, and #6 of 2010. They were a highlight for me at APF5 (#1 Live, 2012)... and I often forget I discovered them as a terrific opener (#4 Live, 2009).



"H-p1" by White Hills, from H-p1 (2011)

Got to meet some of White Hills (co-#5, 2010) at my first Psych Fest (#4 Live, 2011), which was cool. I'm glad to hear we'll get another shot. They do so much so good - check out their bassist-director's official video channel: Ego Sensation.



"Blue Velvet Blues" by Acid Mothers Temple, from Pataphisical Freak Out MU! (1999)

I keep missing AMT! Must not miss AMT again.



"Ready to Fly" by Aqua Nebula Oscillator, from Aqua Nebula Oscillator (2002)

I've only heard Aqua Nebula Oscillator's 2002 self-titled album. Guess which year is next for a historical 21st-century Top 10 list??



"Entrance Song" [***NSFW video***] by The Black Angels, from Phosphene Dream (2010)

Oops, almost forgot the main hosts! The Black Angels, since #3 of 2006, and... let's say: co-#6 Live Show, 2010.

Might be the last of these for awhile. But if I do another one soon, it will be more exploratory of currently unknown players.

Finally!! Austin Psych Fest 2014

After more than 3 weeks since the initial line-up announcement for Austin Psych Fest (#1 Live Show, 2012 and #4, 2011) was promised "this week," we now have info!

Here's the initial line-up:

Primal Scream - Loop - Black Angels - The Zombies - The Horrors - of Montreal - Black Lips - Liars - Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks - Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Mono - Tobacco - Dead Meadow - Oneohtrix Point Never - Moon Duo - Toy - Woods - La Femme - Jacco Gardner - Earthless - Zombie Zombie - Acid Mothers Temple - Kadaver - The Golden Dawn - Shannon & The Clams - Barn Owl - Terakraft - Yamantaka//Sonic Titan - White Hills - Destruction Unit - Quilt - Joel Gion & The Primary Colors - Gap Dream - King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizzard - Boogarins - Aqua Nebula Oscillator - Lorelle Meets The Obsolete - The Oscillation - Steve Gunn - Circuit des Yeux - The Young - Fantasmes - Kikagaku Moyo

Some returning alumni, some old-time faves, some new faces... What's at the top?



"Loaded" by Primal Scream, from Screamadelica (1991)

From the early-'90s, and since...



"From Centre to Wave" by Loop, from A Gilded Eternity (1990)

From the early-'90s only!! Here's fan video for "Be Here Now" too.



"Time of the Season" by The Zombies, from Odessey And Oracle (1968)

Hits from the actual '60s!

THE HORRORS - MIRROR'S IMAGE from on Vimeo.

From... more recently?? Hopefully you have your tickets already.



"Problem Areas" by Oneohtrix Point Never, from R Plus Seven (2013)

I haven't been listening new OPN since around the #39 of 2010 - but I'll still probably try to go live.



"Join the Dots" by Toy, from Join the Dots (2013)

I think that's the correct Toy (artist).



"Clear the Air" by Jacco Gardner, from Cabinet of Curiosities (2013)

This was the first unknown artist I randomly looked up, and: not too bad...



"The Bank Robbery (Escape from New York)" from Zombie Zombie Plays John Carpenter (2010)

Might not be the Carpenter fest of a few years back, but maybe they'll theme it up proper.



"Creature of the Demon" by Kadaver, from Kadaver (2012)

I'm glad the heaviness is creeping in!



"uᏞuᏒu ᏒᎾᏟᏦ" by ᎬᎪᏒᏆhᏞᎬss, from From the Ages (2013)

I'm only gonna mention a couple of super-pleasant surprises.

#1: EARTHLESS!! (I believe they were one of my answers when asked by Psych Fest on Facebook who we'd like to see.)



"Void Redux" by Barn Owl, from V (2013)

And #2: Barn Owl!! Yusssssss...

C6H8O6 - Linus Pauling Quartet (#2, 2003)

This album has some of my top Linus Pauling Quartet tunes - like "Bongfire," for instance! The LP4 discography page has tons o' fun for you & your family. C6H8O6 kinda closes out the Pinnacle Period of Linus: ca. 1997-2004, and is arguably their best record... (let's argue.)

Sorry for all the last.fm links. This one isn't very well represented in the streaming world, especially now that the promotional efforts are over. But the songs play (now), and jam they do.



"Cole Porter" from The 26th Commandment: Thou Shalt Expand Your Mind (1999)

Not the C6H8O6 version, but a live one from an earlier Ptolemaic Terrascope compilation.

Next up comes just more gravy. Groovacious "Brain", with recent return to stage, and "Thorn," which was written by Mike Switzer? The same who gave his name and story to "Bongfire" - technically titled "Switzer" in reality. Disco page reminds me about solo(s) courtesy of John Cramer - of The Mike Gunn (#5, 1993) and Project Grimm (#4, 1996) fame. Bonus singing saw via Shaun Kelly from Exterminating Angels (#17 Metallic, 2009) and Rotten Piece.

Outlandish rocker "La Tapatia" was brought back to live in a terrifying McRibtual (#13 Live Show, 2011).



"Airplane (Live from The Vault/KFJC)" from Ashes in the Bong of God (2000)

Not the C6H8O6 version, but a live bonus track from the Euro-vinyl release of an earlier Linus record. Hypno-Drone from the Dream-Dome. By the way, those last two videos & the tragically deleted "Bongfire" one were all made by Shaun Kelly of the singing saw.

To up the rock ante, Linus continues on with the two-fer blast of "Drunkest Man" and then "Cannonball." Man, I’ve seen a lot of these songs live recently - like, both of those.



"Hall of Mirrors" from C6H8O6 (2003)

Kraftwerk cover! Who woulda believed it?! I'll take a shot of that one live please.

O yeah, and the title? Vitamin C.

Genre - Heavy-Duty Space-Psych
Official - worshipguitars.org/LP4/
Facebook - facebook.com/Linus-Pauling-Quartet/
Myspace - myspace.com/linuspaulingquartet
Location - Houston, TX

Review - Aural Innovations
Download - Other LP4 at Amazon & on iTunes
Purchase - Discogs Marketplace

Octopus Projector

I saw this new record at End of an Ear in Austin a couple of weeks back, but hadn't heard any of the tunes. Pretty cool, yeah?



"Sharpteeth" by Octopus Project, from Fever Forms (2013)

I think the only real Octopus Project I've covered so far is the Thunderbeam game Soundtrack (#10 of 2012's Top Ten Archival / Re-releases / Soundtracks / Compilations / Live / Misc...).



"Whitby" by Octopus Project, from Fever Forms (2013)

Lo-fi stop-motion origami-mation?

I swear I discovered Octopus Project opening for Pong years ago. Not like Brian Epstein discovered, just 'learned about.'



"Stereoscopic Trailer #2" for Fever Forms (2013)

And check out #1.

Plus there's a free download of the song "Perhap" right here.

Of course there was a limited edition with sold-out 3-D Viewmaster + reel! Here's where you order.

Gimme Ed Hall Night Long

Guess who's coming to Houston... Ed Hall: #2, 1993 & #2, 1990 & #10, 1988 & general all-time favorite!!

O yeah, good ol' Rudyard's on 7/19! The next night - at Austin's Delta Lumber & Millworks - also features Brown Whörnet and Gorch Fock... plus Pocket FishRmen, Tim Kerr's "Freedom" piece, MIGAS, and more.



"Hearty Tom Foolery" Ed Hall - live 2012

Most recently, there was the #2 Live Show of 2012. It was a retro label showcase, playing classics such as "White House Girls," "Blue Poland," "Reading," "Pollution," and even "Gilbert." Killer.

Can't wait for the DVD of the show! (They also played a couple of shows in Louisiana afterwards, but I can't find any evidence...)



"Bullshit" Ed Hall - live 2003

Further back were the previous reunion gigs, one of which I actually made it to. These were 2 nights back 10 years ago, at the dearly departed Room 710 in Austin. Check out "White House Girls" (again), and "Reading" (again!)...

Can't wait for the DVD of the shows!!



Live in L.A. - 1993

Hey, I'm gonna pick just some live videos for each year I can find...

1996: Austin Music Awards
1995: Missoula, MT (multi-part document!)
1994: Harvey's (Houston)
1993: [embedded above]
1992: Norman, OK (several chapters!)
1991: lost in the mists of legendry...

Ed Hall part 2 from ggeisler on Vimeo.

1990 (?): Mexic-Arte (Austin) on Halloween
1989 (?): Main St. Saloon (Lubbock)
1988 & back: even more legendary...

So awesome... Be there. RAWK!

FPSF V, Day 1

So we're up to the fifth annual Free Press Summer Fest, here in Houston.


I've been every year (at least a little bit)... What might I see today?



"Can I See Your Clock" by Jandek, from Six and Six (1981)

Obviously, first is Jandek (#3 Live, 2009) - mainly because they put him on so early in the day. Should be interesting what he comes up for a festival crowd. Mike Watt's playing with him, as well as some Texas jazz drummer.



"Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta" by Geto Boys, from Uncut Dope (1992)

More local superstars! In addition to the obvious mainstream hits, I'm hoping they play "Mind of a Lunatic," "Fuck A War," "Chuckie," "Straight Gangterism," plenty of those nasty raps.

Why are Quad City DJ's playing at the same time?



"They Don't Know" by Paul Wall (feat. Bun B) from The Peoples Champ (2005)

I guess Saturday is for hip-hop. The People's Champ playing at the same time as Japandroids? I think I'll survive. Action Bronson also playing later. Ehh, might go see Arctic Monkeys just to mix it up.



"Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service, from Give Up (2003)

Tonight's nominal headliner reunion, but come on...



"Search and Destroy" by The Stooges, from Raw Power (1973)

Yeah, c'mon now. The Stooges (#4, 1969 and #2, 1973) are in town. Truly, that's where I'll be!

Jelatinous Xube PsychmyX ~ Astral Headspace, Vol. 10

Sorry for being so lazy recently. I've been working on a theme for the next blog comp - first it was best of 2012, then Indonesian post-rock, then role-playing soundtracks... but in the end, this new one could only be for the next Austin Psych Fest.

Following the original partial line-up announcement, they've now put out the full schedule - yeah! Newly added?

Moving Sidewalks (Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top) ~ Os Mutantes ~
Roky Erickson ~ The Raveonettes ~ OM ~ Silver Apples ~
Kaleidoscope (UK) ~ Tamaryn ~ Suuns ~ Besnard Lakes ~
Indian Jewelry ~ Bass Drum of Death ~ Night Beats ~
No Joy ~ Young Magic ~ Wall of Death ~ Holy Wave ~
Ride into the Sun ~ Hearts in Space
YEAH!!

This ended up as an interesting collection. Previous comps have featured a lot of this year's artists - which you can explore via the brand-new index, or the links in the "Astral Headspace Comps" section to the right. So we have a lot of newcomers & deep cuts. Plus a Flammarion woodcut cover concept!

Jelatinous Xube PsychmyX ~ Vol. 10
[current download link]
... which will eventually appear only at the Comp Index.

1. "Rad Times" - Black Bananas
New project from Jennifer of Royal Trux! MP3 from Pitchfork.

2. "Tiny Spiders" - The Soft Moon
Psych Fest semi-regulars return for another round in Austin. MP3 straight outta Stereogum. The Soft Moon also appeared on blog-comp-series Vol. 5.

3. "See Forever (revisited)" - Indian Jewelry
Houston's own(ly) Psych Fest troopers, this MP3 off from band's Soundcloud... Indian Jewelry also also appeared on blog-comp-series Vol. 5, and also also also Vol. 6 and Vol. 8. The latest album Peel It (#16, 2012) available from the Psych Fest label: Reveberation Appreciation Society.

4. "Oscillations (1968)" [edit] - Silver Apples
Really old-school, the various Silver Apples snippets here come from the official website. Silver Apples appeared on blog-comp Vol. 5, live with Grails!

5. "It Will Never Be" - White Fence
Been hearing a lot about this dude - sounds prolific. MP3 was from Pitchfork.

6. "Puppet on a String" - Night Beats
Seattle Texas-garage rockers, MP3 from PressWolf Soundcloud. You can also get their record via Psych Fest label.

7. "Sea Lion Goth Blues" - The Growlers
Growlers!!! I forget, probably from PureHoney Soundcloud.

8. "Corvalis" - DIIV
Dive, diV,D11v? MP3 from Pitchfork - also had one o' theirs on the previous comp.

9. "I Am Blind" - Elephant Stone
Someone told me this dude plays sitar for The Black Angels - and I heard he's from Canadia. Sounds good. MP3 de The Decibel Tolls. Okay, new album on R.A.S. label too.

10. "Streams of Sorrow" [edit]- Silver Apples with Sonic Boom
Or Spectrum, or that guy from Spacemen 3... (also playing Psych Fest!) From their collaboration EP A Lake of Teardrops (1998).

11. "Good Clues" - Gary War
Don't know much, except that he covers APP for a totem. Also from New Raytheonport (2008), whole album on the Internet Archive.

12. "Golden Truth" - Holy Wave
Another one with a new release on the Psych Fest label. I think they've been added to the expanding Maserati/Soft Moon tour, coming to Houston in... March, I think? Snagged the MP3 from ReverbNation. March 12th at Fitzgerald's!

13. "Burning Mirrors" - Lumerians
Lumerians are veterans of an earlier Psych Fest event, and also appeared on blog-comp-series Vol. 6. This MP3 track comes from Prefix Mag.

14. "Now (revisited)" - The Holydrug Couple
I thought I'd put the Holydruggers on a comp before, but looks like it was just a Chilean-themed Facebook collection post. MP3 from the band Soundcloud - could have also gone with one of the free versions of "Ancient Land" available from their Bandcamp.

15. "Special A" - Ttotals
Just did a Google. Looks like the keywords are "Nashville" and "duo." Would you like to know more? (That was a Starship Troopers film reference!) Got this tune from band's Soundcloud.

16. "Lovefingers" [edit] - Silver Apples
Another sample from the 1968 s/t album!

17. "100" - Vinyl Williams
HA! This guy's stage name made me think he was like a hip-hop DJ or something. Not even... apparently it's a play on his true given name. MP3 from the vinyl soundcloud (which should totally be a thing).

18. "Spoon" - Boris
Boris are from Japan, this MP3 is from Pitchfork. They appeared on comps Vol. 1 & Vol. 2. First two! Also my #6 Album of 2007.

19. "She Owns the Streets" - The Raveonettes
I was going to guess France, but no! Denmark... since 2001? Huh. MP3 from Filter Magazine. "Copenhagen" is a fun word to say, just roll it around in your mouth.

20. "All Tangled Up" - Woodsman
Hey, full circular. I discovered Woodsman while prepping for Austin Psych Fest 2011 (#4 Live, 2011), and then they ended up as my #2 Albums of 2011. And due to their free-music generosity, they wound up on blog-comp-series Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8, and Vol. 9. And now, thanks to Stereogum, Volume 10.

21. "Dia 36" (Os Mutantes cover) - The Trip
Since Os Mutantes (#15, 1969) pre-date free MP3 downloads, I found this Brazilian group/duo covering their fellow Brasileiros from their Soundcloud.

22. "Aldhechen Manin" - Tinariwen
Last year's Psych Fest (#1 Live, 2012) featured Bombino, a quite-jammin' Tuareg band. Well, Tinariwen were the originators! MP3 downloaded from band's Soundcloud.

23. "Cremation Ghat II" - OM
Let's see... Om were the rhythm section of the legendary Sleep, and stuck it out when that band split. Later the drummer bailed, and was replaced by Emil Amos (of Grails, Holy Sons). I believe they're still just a duo now. Another from Stereogum MP3.

24. "Anthem" [edit] - Silver Apples with Jimi
From their collaboration back in the late-'60s! I wonder if The Simeon enjoys watching Super Troopers (2001)...

Bag of Hammers - The Linus Pauling Quartet (#2, 2012)

No way! It's The Linus Pauling Quartet again. (#14 of 2010, #3 of 2007, #2 Repertoire of 2005, #2 of 2003, #9 of 1995, #3 Live Shows of 2012 and #7 Live of 2010, with still more to come...)


Linus Pauling Quartet - Bag Of Hammers by audibletreats

Stream it all! Unusual for Linus Pauling Quartet, getting stuff out on the internet promptly. First they put together a media package after 5 or 6 albums, and now this! I blame/credit the PR firm.



"Victory Gin" from Bag of Hammers (2012)

Rather than start at the beginning, let's start at the most recent 'single' - other than the video for the free download of the not-included title-track (#4 Free, 2012) to the late-season archival 3xCD module-set (#3 Repertoire, 2012). Wait, what was I talking about?

Ah, "Victory Gin!" Check it out live at Walter's. A good melding of 2 sides of Linus: the more upbeat garage punks & the stoner-riff monsters. The lyric explicitly namechecks Soylent Green (1973), and possibly references The Omega Man (1971) - so maybe there's an old-school Heston dystopian sci-fi vibe underneath "the black flood?" The next song, "Starchimp," also quotes 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968, the book).



"Crom" from Bag of Hammers (2012)

So that's how the album opens, and the first official video (maybe ever?) from the Linus Pauling Quartet. Spoken-word intro comes from "The Song of Roland" as translated by C.K. Scott Moncrieff, read by Mlee of Hearts of Animals. Additional video introductory quote from Conan author Robert E. Howard - because, as y'all know, that's where Crom (fictional deity) comes from. Wow, that's a lotta Wiki links! O yeah, also "Crom" (actual song) rocks out real good, playing to strengths like - somewhat reminiscent of their original swörd metal anthem "Waiting for the Axe to Fall."

The next song, "She Did Not Know," sings about some girl who smokes too much of the weed. All of it, in fact. I mostly like the bridge (?) with the strident metalloid riffing & sustained, climbing lead. Check out the live reference demo rarity.



"Saving Throw" from Bag of Hammers (2012)

Oh, no! I'm out of YouTubes... Guess I'll have to do it myself. "Saving Throw" is a concept familiar to all table-top role-playing game (RPG) enthusiasts. "Wake up! Wake up! Raise your swords - There's a gibbering mouther among us!" Awesome blend of sizzling Cro-Magnon riffnastics & terrificly ludicrous lyrics about the Mind Flayers and psionic blasts and suchlike.

Wait, I forgot about "Rust" before that. Ofttimes mellowish & this time Mlee sings, until the levee breaks - check out the MySpace reference demo.



We're almost at the end now. First we've got "Homonculus," a prime example of what was once called: "the obligatory Linus garage rock song. Always the shortest and fastest song on whatever Linus album it resides on..." Only technically correct in a very limited sense (shortest), I just like that quote a lot. This time it's more of a restrained-yet-tense slow-burn drone-build about, uh... schizoid-dissociative disorder? Pod-people parasitic-symbiote mind-control? The cumulative psychic stress-faults driven by anomie within the modern post-capitalist world? The homonculus metaphor has been under-served by our psych-rock forebears.

And finally, the closing epic "Stonebringer." I think I first heard this one at the Khon's rooftop show in Oct 2010. Great song. But the important thing to remember here is that "Stonebringer" of course bookends (after 17 years) the Linus Pauling's debut album closer "MourneBong." These are, naturally, the two Bongs of Power in the greater LP4 Mythos.

Cool, right?!

Genre - Heavy Stoner Psych-Metal Rock-core
Official/blog - worshipguitars.org/LP4/
Myspace - myspace.com/linuspaulingquartet
Location - Houston, TX

Review - Space City Rock
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - CDbaby

Assault on The Vault of The Ancient Bonglords

The Linus Pauling is selling Assault on The Vault of The Ancient Bonglords 3xCD + the titular Druids & Demons module (#3 Archival, 2012) on the internet. Limited Edition of 100, expanded by popular demand from the original 55.

Head on over to ***CD Baby*** as fast as you possibly can!


Linus Pauling Quartet - Drunkest Man by audibletreats

I liked these CDbaby descriptors of LP4...

Genres You Will Love

Rock: Psychedelic
Moods: Featuring Guitar
Metal/Punk: Stoner Metal

Recommended if You Like

Black Sabbath
Monster Magnet
The Butthole Surfers

Here's what I said about it before:

3xCD career retrospective from "probably my favorite active hometown heroes." Some super-fan might quibble (more rarities! less debut!)... To which others might argue, "Shut up, their debut was your #9 album of 1995... Idiot!"

New album page up at the LP4 blog.


Linus Pauling Quartet - Southern Pine by audibletreats

Check out some more historical Linus writing at my original post about the AOVOABL release in-store show (one of the #3 Live Shows of 2012).

Oh and while I was on Soundcloud, I found this super-recent live recording from Charlie Naked, 12/22/2012 with OlympusMONS: Winter Solstice live. Downloadable as 3 parts (_1_/_2_/_3_)...

Historical Archive of Linus Pauling, Qua.

So I'm headed up to Cactus Music for an in-store record release show from the Linus Pauling Quartet (#9, 1995). Some long-time favorites & all-around fun guys:

The Linus Pauling Quartet's Assault on the Vault of the Ancient Bonglords [Official Video] from Ramon LP4 on Vimeo.

***NSFW*** screaming & cursing intro... From the all-new Assault on the Vault of the Ancient Bonglords (2012), the 3xCD archival career retrospective compilation. Actually box-set, I guess, since it comes with a new (the 1st) Druids & Demons module! You might remember their own "D&D" from the 2010 ST37 split-7" release show that I missed. Yeah, just 2½ years between the rule-set and first module - that's Linus time!

And I'm actually pretty excited - no tracklist announced yet, and then what about the setlist? For the comp, I'm hoping for pretty significant space for material not available on any LP4 CD's.



"Through Darkness and Distance" from the Untitled "Alien" LP (1997)

No-one expects a 22-minute "Improvise Now," but maybe the above album opener from this lost & limited vinyl-only release? They also played a ROTB-less "Luis Black is California" just last year (#13 Live Show, 2011). A little less likely would be their Italian split-7" (2002) cover of Pink Floyd rarity "Vegetable Man," but still welcome.

Or what about their cover of Kraftwerk's "The Hall of Mirrors?" Oh, I know what you're saying: "But that was on the C6H8O6 CD (2003)." To which I reply: "Not that version... the 18-minute live bonus track on the Euro/vinyl-edition of Ashes in the Bong of God (2000)!"

And that's before even touching on complilation-only tracks ("Dartania!") or live radio spots (KFJC bootleg from the mists of legendry!)... But y'know, whatever's cool with me.

The other obvious question is whether the release live show will feature any super surprises / blasts from the past...



"Astral Toads" from Immortal Chinese Classics Music (1995)

The obvious way to go would be "Linus Theme," but I'm really hopin' for "Astral Toads" to find a way. Seems like a couple of other debut album tunes have popped up live here & there... "Hamburger Girl" for certain.



"Cole Porter I" from The 26th Commandment: Thou Shalt Expand Thy Mind (Ptolemaic Terrescope #26, 1999)

Haha, I forgot that version is a non-album track as well. Seems like a pretty decent possibility, given the type of old-school callbacks of recent times. Although Linus actually played "The Colour Out of Space" as recently as 2006. So maybe it could be anything??

[Edit, afterwards: Great show! Setlist covered the whole history...
Alien Abduction / Drunkest Man / Hamburger Girl [studio] / Roll Out the Bong (w/ sax) / Beer, Women and Sunflower Seeds / Nowhere / Waiting for the Axe to Fall / Assault on the Vault of the Ancient Bonglords (1st performance ever!) / Stonebringer...

And the comp? The module looks great, and ⅔ of the music too... Hard to tell, because tracks listed are the same for Discs 2 & 3.

d1t01: "Linus Theme"
d1t02: "ROTB/Luis Black Is California"
d1t03: "Monkey"
d1t04: "Dance of the Bug People"
d1t05: "Beer, Women and Sunflower Seeds"
d1t06: "Possum Love (live)"
d1t07: "Drunkest Man"
d1t08: "Cole Porter II"
d1t09: "Cannonball"
d1t10: "La Tapatia"
d1t11: "Old Crow"
d1t12: "40 oz."
d1t13: "Southern Pine"
d1t14: "Hawg!!"

Disc 2 appears to be...
d2t01: "Penis Free Zone"
d2t02: "Class of '85"
d2t03: "Larry's Song"
d2t04: "Henry Floats"
d2t05: "Hendrix's Boots"
d2t06: "Sunn Beta"
d2t07: "Insomnia"
d2t08: "Interstellar Absolute Power Bootycall Explosion"
d2t09: "Brain"
d2t10: "Mastadon [The Dunlavy]"
d2t11: "Switzer"
d2t12: "Alien Abduction"
d2t13: "Waiting for the Axe to Fall"

d3t01: "Hamburger Girl"
d3t02: "Friendswood Development Co."
d3t03: "Through Darkness and Distance"
d3t04: "Dartania"
d3t05: "Turtle Song"
d3t06: "The Eye of God"
d3t07: "The Colour Out of Space"
d3t08: "Two Artifacts"
d3t09: "Rats (live improv)"
d3t10: "Jason Bill (live)"
d3t11: "Thorn"
d3t12: "Porno in the Sink (Rock mix)"

... Pretty sweet!!]