Content

Y'all know I'm pretty generous with the amount of love I spread on here. I use this blog as a way to spread a positive word about things I think should be heard. Writing about something that isn't my taste, or something I genuinely just don't agree with isn't really, and has never been my goal on here. Especially since I choose almost everything I write about, I naturally just gravitate towards the tapes and records I listen to a lot. This post today is a big one, I might get a little sappy but I'm not going to worry about it. This is a release that means a lot to me, and hit me like a ton of bricks when I first heard it. Beggin' For Oxys debut vinyl release, their very elusive 7" EP, "Just Another Tired Ass Powerviolence Record", self released by the band sometime last year in a run of 100 copies.

Before continuing, here's a little personal rewind. Last year, my friend Matt who does an excellent noise project called Machine Moon, and I, started to arrange a week long tour for 2018. Fortunately and amazingly enough, Beggin' For Oxys were able to join the caravan. The tour inevitably happened and ended a few weeks ago, and was without a doubt the best tour I've ever been on. It was a real privilege for me to be able to spend time with and see BFO perform for a week straight. Watching their various types of performances was incredible. It didn't matter if Mark's guitar wasn't working that night, and could only do vocals, if they played their planned set or everyone was too drunk to care. They brought the house down every night. When they did perform their songs, it was some of the tightest and hardest shit I'd ever seen. The way they gradually just let the set collapse down into sheer noisecore chaos was executed flawlessly. One of the most exciting and fun bands going right now in my opinion. Mark knows how to write a twisted ass riff, and Aaron is an absolute beast on the drums.

Getting on to the actual record however, this is Beggin' For Oxys when the chaos is much more controlled. Actual riffs and songs as opposed to their noisecore side. The funny as hell title is more or less a good indication of the more focused structure of the songs. Beefy, loud, out of tune guitar riffs and rapidly quick and changing drums. This is like powerviolence performed at it's most cynical, but you're still able to take it seriously. I'm honestly fascinated at how they write their songs; it's a very seamless blend of improvisation and legit composition. The wonkiness of it leads to so many memorable moments. Starting right from the Melvins-esque intro riff to the opener, "Content". Or the nu-metal guitar scronks and grooves on "Overpowered/Underwhelmed" and "Underpowered/Overwhelmed". Like a weird mix of Charles Bronson and Final Exit. Not to mention that this whole record sounds like it wants to literally dig your ribcage out of your body and throw it against a graffiti covered concrete wall. It's a rock solid, pleasurable punch to the face front to back.

Everything about the packaging was done by the band, and they went and got the record pressed themselves which I really admire. Every cover is unique and hand drawn. They usually seem to stick with the small lettering spread out over the front on this record. However I was lucky enough to grab the cock cover copy that's pictured above. As soon as Mark drew it I needed it  ( edit: cover art by Ben Durham). And yes there are lyrics, you can't stop the sneak dissing.

True as fuck dead wax etching too. 

Now in addition to the 7", down here in the USA, Uninvited Records did a slappin' cassette reissue that's also just excellent. As usual, Joe has treated this product with the utmost care. Everything looks and sounds clean, crispy, and is wonderfully assembled. This was released in a run of 40.

So yeah, I own three copies of this excellent record. I'm not ashamed of this at all.

~VII

We Out Here Doin Bad Shit

This was a tape that caught my attention towards the end of last year, and it really stuck with me even though I only visited it a few times online. In the noisecore world, a band or project like Cuck Dirt doesn't pop up all that often. Nor does any band with this kind of blatantly goofy aesthetic, end up being this good. "Cucked To Death" was released by Uninvited Records, a tape label that everyone who isn't a goddamn coward should support. A total of 40 copies were made.

Maybe it's a little off to call Cuck Dirt noisecore, since the songs here do seem to have a little bit of extra thought put into them, as opposed to the usual improvised short blasts. This is more of a Sissy Spacek/Nihilist Commando/Beggin' For Oxys type of band. Sharp and intense song composing/lyrics and an energy level that doesn't let up. There doesn't seem to really be any sort of guitar or bass on here, just blown the fuck out drums and super intense vocals. I mean, there's definitely a lot of noise, especially towards the end where this super distorted and deep bass frequency shows up. But for the most part, Cuck Dirt makes a lot of racket with seemingly the bare minimum.

The band name aside, Cuck Dirt does not seem to have a real overt political message. All the lyrics are just random non-sequiturs. Such as having a local Dollar General that doesn't stock Jolt Cola, doing drugs, and maybe one of my favorite song titles in recent times; "A Picture Of Edward Scissorhands But It Just Says 'Edward Hands' And Instead Of Scissors He Just Has Normal Hands". Almost every song is kick started with a fitting sample, and I can't pound in enough just how well composed everything is. The whole EP flows fantastically, starting aggressive and ending with a gargantuan amount of sound, and using a ton of varying tempos, and heavily engaging vocals to keep the momentum high! This tape just slaps, end of story. 

Another wonderful product created with tons of love and care by Joe and Kayla of Uninvited Records. The label just does fantastic work, and Joe is one of the realest and most genuine people supporting noisy shit. No complaints at all with this tape. 

Definitely click the link at the top of the post and check this tape out. I sincerely hope there's a follow up release for Cuck Dirt. 

~VII