As it’s the time of year for lists, our good friends at Buzzhowl Records (whose own debut compilation is on our end-of-year list), have been speaking to their bands about what shook their world. Here we have a nice, concise top five from noise-rockers Typical Hunks:
That Daughters record is awesome, Uniform are amazing, Idles are alright, and that Hot Snakes album is their weakest yet but still probably in the top ten of this year’s releases. But here are some records that came out this year that maybe don’t get as much of a look in as perhaps they should.
Workin Man Noise Unit – It’s Not Nothin’
This band are friends of ours and like us, are based in Reading. They seem to be a Noise-Rock Rorschach test for reviewers and as such, I don’t think anyone’s really summed up their sound effectively. I won’t try where better writers have failed, so click the link and give them a go.
https://workinmannoiseunit.bandcamp.com/album/its-not-nothin
Cody Noon -Double Dark
Another band that are good friends of ours, blissful melancholy drum machine post rock with awesome titles like ‘Lady Crystal Nightshade’ and brilliant tracks like ‘Lady Crystal Nightshade’. ‘Lady Crystal Nightshade’ is a particular highlight.
https://doubledotdash.bandcamp.com/album/double-dark
Whilst checking out these guys, have a look atdoubledotdash’s other releases from this year (and beyond if you wanta really great day), releases by Captain Boxes, Wild Island and Old Ghoul came out this year, and are all excellent.
AJA – AJA
Just beautiful fucking noise, it feels like every detail of every sound has been lovingly attended to. I can’t shake the idea of AJA one day working with Bjork out of my head, I think it would be incredible.
https://opaltapes.com/album/aja
The EX – 27 Passports
The actual album of the year, by probably the best live band I’ve ever seen.
https://theex.bandcamp.com/album/27-passports
Urin -Demo
All I really know about this band is that one of them used to be in G.L.O.S.S and they’re in Berlin, an absolutely enthralling noise punk racket.
https://urin.bandcamp.com/album/demo
Typical Hunks have a 7” single out via Buzzhowl Records in spring of 2019. In the meantime listen to, and download for free, their re-imagining of festive classic ‘Little Drummer Boy’ here: https://joyzineuk.wordpress.com/2018/12/16/the-joyzine-advent-calendar-16-24-days-of-free-music/
“Typical Hunks employ a drum machine to lend mechanistic weight to their blistering exhortations, the discordant guitars and distorted vocals recalling early Sonic Youth“
Phil Stiles (Sonic Abuse)
The band are to release a single via Buzzhowl Records in the spring of 2019. One of the Buzzhowl team said ‘we are very excited to share the two tracks on the single as we feel they mark an evolution in the band’s sound and song writing’. The tracks, recorded, mixed and mastered by Wayne Adams at Bear Bites Horse will be available as 7” vinyl and digital download.
Typical Hunks are:
Christopher Marshall –Guitar/Vocals
Nick Mann–Bass
Dr Rhythm–Drums
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