Mischief Brew – Smash the Windows Review

This is my personal favorite record by Mischief Brew and to be quite honest I never really thought about doing a review about this record but this was suggested by my friend Viktor Linusson and I truly believe this was a great choice for a record review. The word Mischief itself don’t comes too often in people’s regular vocabulary, it sounds like a word that someone in a cartoon or a grandparent would say haha, seriously, think about it and you’ll know it’s true! That being said, the band itself share one special characteristic to that point and that’s where the magic starts to happen and makes them unique.

Mischief Brew is a sick anarcho folk-ish band, really DIY punky smart band and this record proves it. The heart behind each track and the lyrics displayed by the band are unique, there’s no fillers or something that shouldn’t be there. This is raw punk rock written with a wooden guitar delivered on its own terms and unique ways. I really hate bands like Andrew Jackson Jihad or pseudo punk artist like Frank Turner, the feeling doesn’t add up to the music, and the concept of the band or the artist –at least to me- is just bullshit, Mischief Brew is real.

The record opens with “The Reinventing of The Printing Press” and there couldn’t be a better opener for Smash the Windows and the critic lyrics of the entire record to our so-called “modern civilization”. Followed up by the upbeat and sincere “Citizens Drive” which to me feels like a numb scream for help, the third track and one of my favorites on this album is “Lightning Knock The Power Out” I just love these kind of melodies, somehow feels like a resignation tune.

Another great tune is “Ten Thousand Fleas” Which I usually refer as the “Fly Song” I’m really unsure why but it reminds me of a cartoonish fly hitting itself to a closed window. This song features Scotty Sturgeon from CV, LöC and SFH, and the lyrics go awesome with the music, I love that track but not as much as the instrumental song that comes after that one, “Swing Against the Nazis”.

There’s some amazing tracks like “Roll Me Through The Gates of Hell” or “Aint it The Life?” that work like a charm for sing along lyrics and there’s other’s like “Nomads Revolt”, “I Liquor Never Brewd” and the closing track “Departure Arrival” that kinda bring you down but remain in hope for a change in this miserable world. This record feels just right.

As much as I love Mischief Brew, I must admit that this record is not for everyone, neither as the band. You have to understand the basis of this style of music, which don’t really come from punk or folk music, I gave you a hint at the first paragraph of this review, here’s a second one: Protest.

If you enjoy this record you must listen to “Songs From Under the Sink” from 2006, really different from this one and also a must if you’re into this type of music, and by that I mean Real folk punk, unlike Greg Graffin solo record. Mischief Brew is dropping a new 7’’ split with Mr. Franz Nicolay, If I were you, I’ll get it right away.

-Raz

Interview with GOB’s Steven Fairweather!

As many of you might know, GOB is one of my favorite bands in the world. Been listening to their music since I was in high school, relating more and more to their lyrics as I grew up and keeping my hopes up for a brand new GOB record.

For those who don’t have any clues on what I’m talking about, GOB is a sick Canadian Punk Rock band from Langley, British Columbia with 8 great releases put out today since 93, GOB have lived ups and downs from the music industry, leaving members and struggling to get their music to the right ears.  

GOB 2013, Gabe, Steven, Theo & Tom

After 5 long years since their last record ‘Muertos Vivos’, I had an opportunity to chat last week with Steven Fairweather (GOB’s bass player) during a brief Q&A over his FB page. I obviously asked him about their forthcoming record, the band, touring and some other stuff you might be interested to hear. So you better start reading if you don’t wanna miss out about anything! Big props to Steven for letting me ask him a few questions! Thank you so much man! 

(Raz):

Hi Steven, hope I'm not too late for this! Hehe

Are you up for some questions for my blog? It's not that well known or anything like it, but I think it's pretty cool that you are actually letting fans ask you some shit and what not.

(Steven): “Ya! I’m down man”

Alright bro! First of all thanks for letting fans and bloggers ask you a couple of questions! That does not happen too often, I think it’s great that you do such things.

I must ask -obviously- what’s the status of the new GOB record? It’s been five years since GOB launched “Muertos VIvos” and fans are literally craving for the new stuff!! (At least I do haha) 

“We know it’s been a while, GOB has really gone back to a even more DIY style with the band, with producing and mixing the record ourselves, so it’s taken a bit longer, but it’s good in another way, because its exactly how we see the songs”

  

That's pretty good! I guess it gives the music the sound you guys truly want. Are you guys funding the whole thing? Or is there any label supporting you right now?

 “No, we’re funding the whole record”

Wow, that’s great! Did you ever felt like you needed to have somehow more fan support or ask fans to help you out with it? A lot of bands use kickstarter for funding their records and what not

  

"Nah, we have never really talked about kickstarter, when peple come out to the shows, maybe they get a t-shirt or what have you. That’s how we can keep making records”

  

Awesome bro, it’s really good to know that bands are doing their thing and that the fans are doing theirs!

Alright Steven, I must ask you this. I know you’re the newest member in the band, how do you feel of being part of it?

Steven Fairweather, Photo by Andy Bond.
http://andykbondphoto.blogspot.mx/

“Ya, feels good, i worked with the Tom and Theo years ago on a record, (They produced a old band of mine) and we became fast friends... So it feels pretty natural with them, and the shows are always really fun”

  

That's pretty cool man, didn’t knew about it, did you ever felt like any pressure by being part of a band as big as gob?

  

”I did on my first show, i had about 12 days to learn 21 songs, for this festival in Winnipeg. I still remember me and Theo went over them everyday in this old boiler room/ basement, and next to me at the show, I had a lil book of "cheat sheets" in case my mind went blank"

Haha, for real? Did you get to use any of those sheets or was it all good?

“i don’t think i did... But it felt safe to have them close by… Honestly, I keep them in my bass case still, years later"

"I'm kinda like Linus, from Charlie Brown"

 Haha Always keeping your blanket close. That's pretty cool man.

Where would you like to go on tour with Gob? What would be the perfect place to play a show? (Please say Mexico)

“Mexico!”

Haha, thanks for letting me dream, man!

“Haha, really I would like to play as many places that would have us”

Any place in particular?

"Europe, and Asia, are up there for sure”

Asia must be pretty cool, the culture over there must be really something.

“I agree, very different, and beautiful"

So, what's your favorite gob song to play live??

“That changes for me, but the top ones are: Beauville, I Hear You Calling and Soda"

  

I hear you calling must be awesome from stage view, all the people shouting the lyrics and Soda is a must haha

GOB live, 2012. Shot by unknown. Taken from GOB's Facebook page

Just to finish with this man. When do you think that we'll be listening to the new record and do you have any musical recommendations you wanna share with us? What are you listening at the moment?

“I would love to give you a better time frame, but i really cannot. The record will be sooner than later, that i can tell ya!"

"Lately I’ve been hunting for old 50's and 60's soul records here in new york, it’s become an obsession… but as for new stuff, 'The National Album 'came out yesterday, they are a great band i think, also liking a band from Brooklyn 'Twin Shadow', a band from London called 'Vuvuvultures' and the new 'Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club' is great”

Have to check em out, man. Thanks a lot, this should be enough!

“Cheers man! Thanks again!”

Nah, thanks to you man, seriously!

If you wanna know a bit more about Steven, follow himon Tumblr, he’s a sick photographer and it’s worth a look at his profile! If you wanna hear more about the new GOB record, you better follow them on FB and stay tuned for more info in this blog soon! Can’t wait to get my ears on what the band is working on this time! Sick music, that’s for sure!

Peace! X

-Raz

Inertia. – 2011 – Peace.Awareness.Action

Inertia. is a hardcore/punk/crust band heavily influenced by 70’s and early 80’s hardcore music and anarcho themes. This Ep it’s really really short and that’s the way this has ta be done! It’s really good, the loud spoken messages in some tracks make it even better, and the quality it’s straight forward from the amp and drums, perfect for this type of music. 

Just to clear shit up, Inertia. Is another project of Ryan from Aim For Your Head and Hollow-Eyed and to be honest, this kid seems like a creative fucking bastard, 3 different releases in one year and all of them being good on their own terms. + AFYH drummer plays in Inertia. too, so it has ta be good by pure nature.

Don’t miss Ryan’s new stuff with Hollow-Eyed, I heard they’re doing something new right now! You can download Peace.Awareness.Action right HERE!

Victory Gin – 2011 – Bigger Pictures

Victory Gin has an unique way of doing ska/punk music, think of a really good mix between a lovely melodies, skin-ska-oi!-Vocals with that nasty ragga british accent, a hard sounding bass not too mellow or melodically tuned but perfectly in shape for the precision ska/reggae deserve; sick distorted guitars and catchy upbeat tempos in clean lo-fi sound; and a blasting drum filled with kicks and snare hits delivered in the perfect moment, along with punk and classic ska beats.

This is the devout of Victory Gin “Bigger Pictures”, an Ep that can be played in yer home stereo at really high levels and disturbing the fuck of yer neighbors with its catchy tunes or simple at a descent volume to enjoy what’s going on with the music. This is the other band from my mate Jim from Army of Ants and it’s their first release, hope they give us some new tunes by the end of this year or at least a full length by 2012, cuz after this one you’ll get in love with the choruses and the music they’re delivering.

Highlights of this record are “Nazareth Hold ’Em”, “Kissing the Curb” and “Skin’ead”. You can download and stream this record HERE and it’s pretty much almost for free download!! Don’t miss them out if you like ska/punk music!

Hollow-Eyed – 2011 – Worcester Noises

You better put a descent volume level while playing this Ep, not too loud, but not too low… and you better do this at night. Maybe you should turn off the lights and while you’re at it you should drink a glass of wine, sit back, relax yourself and think twice if this what you really want to hear… Cuz you’ll either die or feel alive by listening to Hollow-Eyed. 

This record just doesn’t fit in a solid standard base, and it might not be for you if you’re not well used to fucked up music made by fucked up people. Worcester Noises is sick, twisted, vibrant, violent, dark, experimental and brilliant. Ryan (Guitar+Vocals & 1/3 of Aim For Your Head) described this project as a weird folk experimental thing… and this might be just that for some ears, but it’s creepy as fuck once you truly listen to this…

I really enjoyed this, brings thoughts in my head and emotion my heart and that’s something doesn’t really happen often… Even the artwork is sick In brief, you should really listen to Hollow-Eyed and decide for yourself whether is something you might like or not. I’m really looking forward for more music by them. You can download this Ep for free or by donation right HERE! Along with their previous release which is also really good but less heartbreaking as this one. 

-Raz