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Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Vomit Launch - Dogeared

Name: Vomit Launch
Album: Dogeared
Year: 1992
Style: Punk, Indie, Jangle Rock
Similar Bands: L7, 4 Non Blondes, Popguns, Happy Family, Co-Ed, Taulah Gosh, Heavenly, Beat Happening
"One-Word" Review: Bite-Free Jangley Folk-Punk
Based Out Of: Chico, CA
Label: Teen Beat, Mad Rover Records
Cover, Back
Liner Notes, CD Back, CD
Dogeared (1992)
  1. Hence the Box 2:57
  2. Smokebreak 3:21
  3. Story of My Life 3:15
  4. Smile 2:50
  5. Old Peculiar 3:40
  6. Curl Up and Dye 5:22
  7. Unsafe With Fewer Drinks 4:29
  8. Oh, That One 3:48
  9. Spinach 3:25
  10. Virtual Oblivion 3:09
  11. Flies 4:27
  12. All Fouled Up 3:05
  13. Harry Monk in the Boatrace 0:50
  14. Stillness 4:48
Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Lawrence Crane - Bass, Guitar (Chucklehead, Elephant Factory, Idler Arms, Sunbirds, Chris Eckman, Welcome, Sleater-Kinney, Christine Darling's All-Gurlesque, Sean Croghan, Sophie Lux, J. Hell, Jenny lewis & the Watson Twins, Crack City Rockers, Dew, Andi Starr, Brent Lewiis Ensemble, BOAT, Portland Cello Project, Elliot Smith)
  • Patricia Rowland - Vox (Chucklehead)
  • Steve Bragg - Drums (Severance Package, Special Forces)
  • Lindsey Thrasher - Guitar, Vox  (Sun Supreme) 
  • John McKinley - Lead guitar ( Bait, These Days)
  • John Baccigaluppi - Keys, Engineer, Producer (Sea of Bees, VC & the Saucers, Fool Killers, Seed, Calexico) 
  • EJ Bellocq - Cover Photo
  • Montana Swisher - Band, Trish Photos
  • TeenBeat Graphica - Graphics & Layout
  • Holly Hodge - Drawing
Unknown-ness: never heard of this band, but I liked the name, and i was familiar with the label, so i figured i was getting into some facet of punk...whether that is Riot Grrl, crust or folksy punk, i am not sure. But i am going to guess it leans more melodically than angry noise.

Album Review: There is definitely an angsty edge to the vocals, but the production has a folky feel to it. Like 4 Non Blondes playing L7. There is jangly production that is hard torn between the college radio style popular at the time, and trying to maintain a rougher edge. Curl Up & Dye drives with punk drumming at the start, but it mellows out into a trippy alt rock song.

The band was formed in 1985 as "an excuse to drink beer," released seven albums and toured primarily on the West Coast. They lasted until 1992, and most  members have continued ties to the music industry through magazines, art, and record store ownership.

Stand Out Track: Hence the Box

Links:
Wiki

Thursday, February 10, 2022

ViV - s/t

Name: ViV
Album: s/t
Year: 2000
Style: American Rock
Similar Bands: TPOT USA, Fastball, Semisonic, Better Than Ezra, Third Eye Blind
"One-Word" Review: Sedated Radio Rock
Based Out Of: San Francisco
Label: Ten Toes Over
Booklet Cover & Back
Lyrics, CD, CD Tray
Lyrics Case Back
Lyrics
ViV (2000)
  1. Life Preserver 4:08
  2. Too Good To Be True  3:09
  3. Crooked Smile 5:08
  4. Waiting 4:57
  5. Green 4:32
  6. Say Goodbye 4:40
  7. Smiles Like a Maniac 3:23
  8. Floating on a Cracker 3:54
  9. Funny How You Wear Your Heart 4:58
  10. I'm So Tired of You 3:25
  11. Shawn 2:52
Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Matt Ostrander - Producer, Vox (Blue October)
  • Erik Semo - Bass (Highwater Rising)
  • Mike "Pie" Fiorintino - Guitar, Violin (Somos, Meltdown)
  • Matt Lucich - Drums (Shaolin Temple of Boom, Bonfire Madigan, Alice, John Bobek, Carolina Liar, Late Pierson, The Gitas, Calico the Band)
  • Eamonn Flynn - Keys (Liz Kennedy, Rob Strong, The Commitments, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Evelyn Champagne King, Darryl Anders Agapesoul, Lea Mcintosh, The Cinders Blues Band)
  • Justin Dobrin - Keys
  • Dawn Richardson (4 Non Blondes, Loud Family, Pussy Tourette, Martinis, Kindness, Penelope Houston, Jenifer McKitrick, Go Go market, Lillix, Trinkit, Holly & The Italians, Kitty Rose!, Wild Stares, Toby, Kandur, Zoe Fitzgerald Carter)
  • Kathryn Chase
  • Tia Label
  • Karen Rose
  • Jeffrey Wood - Producer (Housemartinis, Elisa Waut, Luka Bloom, Penelope Houston, Katherine Chase Band, Todd Herfinfdal, Irina Mikhailova, Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, Foreign Affair)
  • Lisa Keating - Photography
  • Steve Dorian Minor - Photography
  • Stuart Locklear - Photography
  • Kelly Sweet - Photography
  • Jen Greenhalgh - Photography
  • Acedesign - Album Design
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, and not sure where I picked up this CD. From the looks of the film strip images of the band, it seems like they were trying to fit into that comfy radio friendly 2000's pub rock taps into power pop vein. A little hard garage-y, a little in your face, but not really: typically not my favorite, repetitive, nothing sticks out schlock.

Album Review: They have a catchy, streamlined rock-pop sound, with non-aggressive pop-punk chord changes, harmonies and some power-pop elements. At points it feels like they could launch into a n OTP rocking section, but often they fall back to let the harmonies breathe. As the album progresses, the influences increase, and alt-country is added into "Crooked Smile." There is a bit of a silent break on the last track, before a short violin + hand clap performance of Turkey in the Straw

Starting in San Fran, they worked out a Monday night ritual into a road show, where they showed independent short films between sets, not to mention a visual show behind them when they performed.

Stand Out Track: Too Good To Be True

Links:

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

VHS and the Babies - Beyond Imagination / You've Got 2 Crawl Before You Can Rock

Name: VHS and the Babies
Album: Beyond Imagination / You've Got 2 Crawl Before You Can Rock
Year: 2004
Style: Indie Pop, Dreampop
Similar Bands: Tullycraft, Camera Obscura, Essex Green, Track Star, Besties, Beulah, Saturday Looks Good to Me, Not Fur Longs, Joanna Gruesome, Talulah Gosh
"One-Word" Review: Uplifting Bouncy Naïve Pop
Based Out Of: Charlottesville, VA
Label: Rescue, Retrieval & Rawk-Us Pop (RR&RP)
Cover & Back
Insert Cover & Back, Insert 2 Back, CD
Insert Liner Notes, Insert 2 Note

Beyond Imagination / You've Got 2 Crawl Before You Can Rock (2004)
  1. Quick, Quick Like a Bunny 1:57
  2. Tony Danza v. the Unspeakable Vice of the Greeks 1:42
  3. Roll On, Rolly Wheel 1:44
  4. Harvard Man 1:20
  5. Government 4 $ale Inc. 1:48
  6. Matthew Arnold Visits South of the Border 1:43
  7. New Wave 2:02
  8. Scully's Baby 2:14
  9. Use Your Illusion 1:38
  10. Who Let the Pogs Out & Put Them Back In & Neutered Them 1:09
  11. Booty-Call 2:58
  12. Not Your Pinky 0:40
  13. Hiding 1:51
  14. Welcome to the Sweet Valley School of Hard Knocks 2:37
  15. Old/New 3:06
  16. Don't Tell Your Papa 1:42
  17. West Coast 1:34
  18. Baby Je$us's Microphone 2:45
Album Rating (1-10): 9.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Andy Miller - Keys, Vox (Gulf Coast Army)
  • Mike Powell - Drums (Gulf Coast Army, Richard Your Postman)
  • Sam Turner - Vox, Guitar (Hilarious Posters)
  • Wendy Korwin - Vox, Bass 
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but it do love the randomness of the song titles, the cutesy DIY album artwork with the googly eye monster, and the short song lengths that suggest fun quirky indie pop. My only concern is that it is too cutesy or silly in an embarrassing way. 

Album Review: Twee, indie synth and bouncy pop form the backbones to this record. It is just fun, catchy and precious enough to tap into the positive enjoyment section of your brain. While most of the songs are less than 2 minutes, they feel like fleshed out songs rather then sketches. This is kinda right up my alley.

This appears to be their only release, and although most of the members were in other bands around the Charlottesville area, there is not much out there about this early aughts band, who survived for about two years 2003 - 2004

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

(the) Vexers - s/t

Name: The Vexers
Album: s/t
Year: 2003
Style: New Wave, Post Punk
Similar Bands: The Daves, Blondie, Bikini Kill, Delta 5, Runaways, Long Blondes, Elastica, Wire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Martha & the Muffins, Sleater-Kinney
"One-Word" Review: Dark, Ragged Energetic Punk
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA
Label: Ace Fu
Cover & Back
Liner Notes, CD Back, CD
The Vexers (2003)
  1. Something Dirty 2:31
  2. Human Machine 1:36
  3. Mutual Masturbation 2:21
  4. City Life 1:14
  5. You Get Nothing 2:51
  6. The Saint 3:13
  7. Fuck it Up 3:01
  8. Get Up Get Out 2:21
  9. Rat-Bite Fever 2:08
  10. Sick Sick Sick 3:21
Album Rating (1-10): 9.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Mike Musmanno - Recording, Mixing
  • Rachel Kotkoskie - Live Photo
  • Michael Hammel - Bass
  • Jennifer Taylor - Guitar/Vox (Caramel Jack, Marcia Hines, Max Sharam, Jan Hellriegel, Annie Crummer, Australian Youth Orch, Amity Dry, Anthony Callea, Billie Thorpe, Beat Bugs)
  • Jesse Van Anglen - Drums
  • Tres Warren - Guitar (Compound Eye, Messages, Psychic Ills, Moon Duo, Jeff Burch, Alfredo Thierman)
Unknown-ness: Never heard of the band. But I liked the simple angle of the font of the band name on the front and the MS Dos font on the back. Perhaps this is an angular, computer thinking band who used tech and synth in their basic indie rock style. Ace Fu is a Philly label, so I'm surprised i didn't hear of or cross paths seeing this band back in the aughts, as i was going to a lot of shows then.

Album Review: The band borrows from 70-80's new wave/punk with catchy  guitar work and bass lines and straightforward spoke/sung melodic but powerful female vocals. Mutual Masturbation brings in the angular guitar and energetic vocals bringing to mind the great 80's punk bands like Blondie, The Runaways and Sleater-Kinney at times. It is just a very fun record, full of driving energy and danceable spirit. 

The band is 3/4 LA kids who left the lifestyle out west for shocking reality of Philadelphia's forgotten youth. 5-10 years older than the rest of the bands they played with, they started with a confidence their counterparts were trying to build, and still moved slowly, being true to their musical vision and selves. Apparently their live shows were fun (really wish i had seen them around the scene then), and from this record, i can tell they would have been a favorite.

Stand Out Track: Mutual Masturbation

Links:

Sunday, January 9, 2022

Van Hunt - s/t

Name:Van Hunt
Album: s/t
Year: 2003
Style: R&B, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: Maxwell, Codu ChesnuTT, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Chocolate Genius
"One-Word" Review: Funky, Slick Bedroom Eyes
Based Out Of: Dayton OH
Label: Capitol, EMI
Cover, Liner Notes
Lyrics, CD, CD Tray
Poster CD Back

Van Hunt (2003)
  1. Dust 4:14 (Single)
  2. Seconds of Pleasure 5:40 (Single)
  3. Hello, Goodbye 4:25
  4. Down Here in Hell (With You) 4:49 (Single)
  5. What Can I Say (For Millicent) 4:46
  6. Anything (To Get Your Attention) 3:28
  7. Highlights 5:35
  8. Precious 4:29
  9. Her December 4:16
  10. Hold My Hand 3:50
  11. Who Will Love Me in Winter 4:15
  12. Out of the Sky 5:10
Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Andrew Slater - Exec Producer, Additional Production
  • Randy Jackson - Exec Producer, Mgmt
  • Van Hunt - Exec Producer & Producer, Writer, Arranger, Performer (Royalty, Dionne Farris, Cree Summer, Sam Moore, Nikka Costa, Rahsaan Patterson, Joi, Count BassD, Sam Moore, The Decoders, Nate Smith, Billy Lawrence, Afghan Wigs)
  • Howard Willing - Additional Producing, A&R, Recording
  • Curtis Whitehead - Writing, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitar, Bass (Count BassD, Curtis Harding)
  • Mary Fagot - Creative Director
  • Tait Hawes - Art Direction, Design
  • Chris James - Recording
  • Bill Malina - Recording
  • Dave Way - Mixing
  • Creed - Backing Vox (Kenny Dope, Karizma)
  • Ro - Backing Vox (Kenny Dope, Karizma)
  • Amy White - Backing Vox (Douglas, Linus and Amy, Controversy, Purple Mixed Adult Choir, West Indian Girl, Kenny Dope, Karizma, M83, Mononoid, David Wilcox)
  • Matt Chamberlain - Drums (Many, Pearl Jam, Edie Brikell & New Bohemians, Tori Amos, Bruce Springsteen, Mike Gordon, Brad Mehldau, Wild Colonials, Aaron Neville, WallFlowers, Fiona Apple, Critters Buggin, Corrs, Chris isaak, Bruce Hornsby, Melissa Ethridge, Macy Gray, Willy Porter, DC Talk, Lisa Loeb...)
  • Patrick Warren - Melotron (Many, Michael Penn, Vic Chestnutt, Madeline Peyroux, Charlie Sexton, X, Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, Wallflowers, Chris Isaak, Phantom Planet, Remy Zero, Hootie & the Blowfish, Bijou Phillips, Macy Gray, Melissa Ethridge...)
  • Isaac Curtis - Trombone
  • Nolan Smith - Trumpet (Baya, Count Baise Orch, Buddy Collette Big Band, Al Williams Quintet, Blackbyrds, DJ Rogers, Jimmy Smith, les McCann, Karen Pree, Carrie Lucas, Carole King, Willie Bobo, Norman Connors, Bill Quateman, John Mayall, Freddie Hubbard, Marvin Gaye, Brotherhood, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, Phil Collins, Anita Baker, Stevie Wonder, more)
  • Daryl Richards - Alto Sax (Kirk Whalum, Norman Connors)
  • Daniel Solomon - Tenor Sax, Horns Arrangement (Rick Margitza)
  • Annie Stela - Backing Vox (Third Eye Blind)
  • Truth - Backing Vox, Moog, Wurlitzer 
  • Tim Leblanc - Mixing
  • Dwight Farrell - Celeste (Count BassD)
  • Larry James - Percussion, Drums (Avery Sunshine)
  • Kevin Guarnieri - Recording
  • Kevin Ricard - Percussion (Kenny Loggins, East West Band, Flamenco Dura, Tonight Show Band, East West Band, Johnson & Branson, Matt Bianco, Herb Alpert, MVP, Starr Parodi, Juan Carlos Quintero, Susie Hansen, Ciro Hurtado, Rie Akagi, Marc Russo, Robi Kahakalau, Wayne Shorter, Masayoshi Takanaka, Larry Steen, BB Shawn, Bobby Lyle, Zero Ted, Nils, Everette Harp, Venice, Kleber Jorge, Speak, Rob Mullins, Eric Gulliom, Gloria Loring, Rickie Byars, Daniel Indart Project, Wayne Jones, Kevin Toney, Chris Bennett, Take 6, George Kahn, Rhian Benson, Elan, Impromp2, Shelby Lynne, Ann Nesby, Pat Longo, Kids of Widney High, Queen Latifah, Oskar Cartaya, Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Christina Aguilera, Everette Harp, LaToya London, Kurt Carr, George Benson, Corey Clark, Dave Rodgers, Natalie Cole, Lynne Fiddmont, Faramarz Assef, LA Guitar Quartet, Everlife, Jill Scott, Marek Niedzwiecki, SMV, Stephen Bishop, Paul Jackson Jr, James Ingram, Bill Fulton, Amanda McBroom, Carol Welsman, Dorian Holley, Norman Brown, Christian Dupree, Christophe Beck, Dan Fornero, Toni Reed, Dave Koz, Tina Campbell, Orgone, Clair Fischer Latin Jazz Band, Jazz Funk Soul, Paul Brown, David Garfield)
  • David Campbell - String Arrangement (Campbell-Kurban String Section, Clockwork Angles String Ensemble, James Taylor, Cher, Linda Ronstandt, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Carole King, James Brown, Many Many More)
  • Melissa Mattey - Recording, Mixing
  • Ray Brown - Trumpet (Count Baise Orch, Earth Wind & Fire, Madagascar, Horns of Fire, Donald Byrd, Hubert Laws, Con Funk Shun, SOS Band, More)
  • Ta Ta - Backing Vox
  • Wendy Melvoin - Rhythm Guitar (Girl Bros, Peace Choir, Prince & the Revolution, The Flesh, Wendy & Lisa, Andre Cymone, Joni Mitchell, Seal, BB KIng, Eric Clapton, Latin Playboys, Neil Finn, Melba Moore many more)
  • Paul Franklin - Pedal Steel (Dicie Pearls, The Time Jumpers, Dire Straits, Lyle Lovett, Gary Parker, Parliament, Slim Whitman, Charlie McCoy, Mel Tillis, Jerry Reed, Chicken String Band, BJ Thomas, George Strait, Tammy Wynette, Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, Barbara Mandrell  Many Many More)
  • Peter Mokran - Mixing
  • Lenny Castro - Percussion (Jazz Express, Karizma, Larsen-Feiten Band, Los Lobotomys, Steve Vai's Monsters, Toto, Melissa Manchester, Rita Coolidge, Leo Sayer, Diana Ross, Pointer Sisters, Paul Anka, Dusty Springfield, Robert Palmer, Kiss, Olivia Newton-John, Gary Wright, Shotgun, Wet Willie much more)
  • Jermaine Rand - Acoustic Guitar (The Rand Experiment, Jahallah, Playa G, Blackperl, MC Divinity, Steve Joz)
  • Terry McMillen - Harmonica (The Players, Michael McDonald, Bobby Charles, Ronnie Milsap, Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Frank Sinatra Jr, Ray Stevens, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Bobby Bare, Burl Ives, Crystal Gayle, many more)
  • Dionne Farris - Backing Vox (Arrested Development, Charlie Hunter, Immature, TLC, Xscape, El Debarge, Count Bass D, Guru's Jazzmatazz)
  • Jeff Wright - Asst Recording
  • Kevin Paige - Asst Recording
  • Adam Deane - Asst Recording
  • Tony High - Asst Recording
  • Kevin Pickle - Asst Recording
  • David Streit - Asst Recording
  • Charlie Paakkarl - Asst Recording
  • Steve Genewick - Asst Recording
  • Jimmy Hoyson - Asst Recording
  • Chris Reynolds- Asst Recording
  • Kevin Deane - Asst Recording
  • Aaron Kessel - Asst Recording
  • Jesse Gorman - Asst Recording
  • Cesar Ramirez- Asst Recording
  • Jennifer Young - Asst Recording
  • Ari Famila - Asst Recording
  • Aaron Familia - Asst Recording
Unknown-ness: I remember hearing about Van Hunt when he first came out, but never paid much attention past that. Assuming he's similar to Maxwell or Jamiroquai, with more of a 60's psych influence, perhaps closer to the Black Eye Peas, who I honestly don't know much about in the first place. But i imagine smooth, slightly psychedelic, sexy bedroom vibe R&B tracks

Album Review: The album kicks off with a great slice of catchy pop. And then it settles into a nice smooth R&B groove for the rest of the record, with a little funk added, but mostly mod-setting jams.

Van Hunt has grown up around musical roots, and can play nearly any instrument. He's floated around between labels and self-releasing for years, and even won a grammy for a collaboration for a Sly & Family Stone tribute with John Legend & Joss Stone. He's been in a relationship with Halle Berry since 2020.

Stand Out Track: Dust

Links:
Wiki

Vaeda - The Red Queen

Name: Vaeda
Album: The Red Queen
Year: 2004
Style: Alt-Metal, Hard Rock
Similar Bands: Candlebox, Slaughter, Breaking Benjamin, Animal Bag
"One-Word" Review: Melodic Skuzz Rock
Based Out Of: Brooklyn, NY
Label: self released
Cover, Back Notes, CD Case Back
Lyrics, CD, CD tray

The Red Queen (2004)
  1. Thief 3:57
  2. Battle Song 3:56
  3. Jesus Rides the Subway 3:54
  4. Money 3:05
  5. Son of the Viper 4:34
  6. Kneejerk 2:46
  7. Imperial 4:20
Album Rating (1-10): 4.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Ian Lear-Nickum - Vox, Guitar
  • Aristotle Dreher - Bass (Bastard Kings of Rock)
  • Chris Gignoux - Guitar, Engineer (Granian)
  • Oliver Williams - Drums
  • Kyle Kelso - Producer, Recording, Mixing, Mastering
  • Todd Cameron Westphal - Photos
  • Chris Buchakjian - Bat Photo
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. I believe this was another cast off a friend sent me in the mail a long time ago. I honestly don't know what to make if this...it could be anything from hard Americana rock to nu-metal to folksy pop rock or even a emo-prog based band. I'm going to go with the idea that it is somewhere in the middle of all that...general hardish rock, trying to be more complex than it is worth. Not a big fan of the logo for the band name, and seems out of place or alien when compared to the classical album name.

Album Review: From the get go, the band is channeling hair metal, with clear vocals with a calculated lilt. This is timeless in a sense, as it would not be out of place with the Slaughters or Warrants of the late 80's or Animal Bags or Candleboxes of the 90's, leading through the Nu-Metal scene of the aughts. This doesn't mean it is good, at all. The vocal range is impressive, though, with parts in whisper and hitting Muse or Ours melodic heights.

The name comes from India, meaning eternal knowledge. They hold the factoid for being the #1 unsigned Myspace band in the fall of 2005, which was shortly after their move to LA from Brooklyn, but moved back to Long Island later that same year. They have been on a couple big festival tours as well as being in television promos and shows (NCIS, Prison Break, Terminator: SC Chronicles, The Hills, Girls of Hedsor Hall). 

Stand Out Track: Kneejerk 

Links:
Wiki

Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start - ~s/t EP & *Girls Names EP

Name: Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start
Album: s/t EP~, Girls Names*
Year: 1999~, 2006
Style: Emo, Math Rock
Similar Bands: Math the Band, Sunny Day Real Estate, Fire Theft, Dismemberment Plan
"One-Word" Review: Plucky Complexly Calculated DIY'ers
Based Out Of: Philadelphia
Label: Papermade Records~, self-released*
~Cover, Back, CDR
*Promo Cover, Back
*Promo Liner Notes, CD

~Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start (1999)
  1. Song Competition 2:49
  2. Working Title 3:38
  3. I'm Holding Hands With Me 1:39
  4. Action 4:08
  5. Walked Out This Season 3:52
  6. Real Philosophers Vs. The Lovers of Sights and Sounds 3:24
*Girls Names (2006)
  1. Janet Bateman 1:52
  2. Melanie Flury 2:13
  3. Rachel Strayer 0:56
  4. Robyn Fleshman 1:53
Album Rating (1-10):~7.0
*6.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Steve Poponi - Vox, Bass~ Guitar* (The Jazz June, Cabana Wear, The Progress, Young Statues, Fight Amp)
  • Scott Rumble - Drums~
  • Jeff Mott - Guitar, Vox~ (Hands of Despair, Thrawnsunblat)
  • Dave Damm - Bass* 
  • Dave Dunn - Drums*
  • Dave Downham - Guitar* (The Secession Movement, Kill Verona, The Progress, Cabana Wear)
  • Evan Weiss - Guitar* (Damiera, Into It. Over It, Map the Growth, Pet Symmetry, Stay Ahead of the Weather, The Progress, Their/They're/There, CSTVT, Moving Mountains, Koji, The Jazz June, You Blew It!, Pacemaker, Evan Myall, Castevet, Noumenon, Chris Farren, Sincere Engineer, Lana Del Rey)
  • Brian Mietz - Artwork*
Unknown-ness: I had heard the name before, but never really heard them. This goes back to the early 00's when i found a CDR of their first EP at AKA records here in Philly. Always kinda associated them with Math Rock/Emo scene, but again, couldn't say for sure, aside from other bands they were mentioned in conjunction with. So not a pure unknown band, but enough that i don't know what it's going to sound like, exactly, and if i'll enjoy it. The black EP was found out in LA at Amoeba, and was a promotional CD, produced just for journals or airplay...otherwise, it could be downloaded for free, as an internet-only release.

Album Review: Blending the concentrated Math Rock/Prog elements with emo almost needs not be separated, but they are the elements that go into the first EP. Calculated guitars that go from loud to melodic to quiet and reserved, overlayed by vocals that drone and shout like a ride on Space Mountain; where you don't know if you're going for a drop or a turn. I get a lot of the mid 90's alt-emo band influence like Sunny Day & Dismemberment Plan in the guitar work and overall production (Dis Plan & Hail Social in the lead vocals). The Girls Names EP is quite short, the songs averaging less than 105 seconds each.

It goes without saying, to most folks with even a passing interest in the band, that they take their name from the infamous Konami cheat code to score extra lives in their Nintendo games. In the spirit of "free" and "extra," both of these EPs took advantage of the internet age, where all the songs were available for free, legal download from the artist's recording studio website. Most of the band's life span between these two eps, as their career started with the self titled CDR, and their end coming less than 2 years after Girl's Names. Though it all was Steve Poponi, who still works with Gradwell House recording studio in Jersey producing albums for bands with a similar mindset, like Beach Slang (at least Downham has worked on their albums).

Stand Out Track: ~Working Title