The Creeping Nobodies - Augurs & Auspices LP (2007)

I am inadvertently a shill for Canadian bands I guess. Or maybe it's just the Toronto scene, given that I have at least two other entries concerning bands from there. It's not so much that I favor the city over other places - in fact, having been to Toronto, I'd say I prefer the easternmost section of chilly Ontario to its metropolitan bits. And I don't think it's a difference of talent in comparison to American bands. It's just that music I've heard come out of Toronto, and Canada in general, seems to have a mind all its own - a narrow-yet-sophisticated approach that sets Canadian artists apart. Maybe? Or maybe this is all just posturing and I should get down to the subject matter.

The Creeping Nobodies were mentioned to me some time ago in passing. I neglected to look them up immediately, just as I still haven't looked into their related acts like Sick Lipstick, These United States, Martyrs and Parts Unknown. I think there was just a certain sound being thrown around in Toronto during the early 2000s. Anyway, it just so happened that I found their last full-length, Augurs & Auspices, at Amoeba for the right price. As good a time as any to check out the, let's say, complicated, Ex-like if not for the production post-punky sounds of this 2000s quartet (or quintet by this time.) Before I wrote this, I went out on a limb and predicted, having not listened to the album since I bought it, that it had a Zs feel to it. Although I wasn't completely off, especially when the Nobodies' compositions stretch out for such generous spans of time, I wasn't correct. A somewhat uneven mix of familiar no wave of new and olde (Liars, other NYC-related bands) and post-punk influences seem to make up their sound - and wouldn't you know it, they formed as a result of a tribute performance to The Fall. But what do I really think? Dissonance, uncertainty, contempt, anxiousness - these are all words that come to mind when listening to this. Most songs start off with simple ideas and jam around them for the remainder of the song, a formula that, believe me, sounds better in practice than it does on paper. If any of the namedropping in this entry hasn't spoiled your appetite for the evening, you're bound to enjoy this.

This was Deleted Art #24. Maybe it's out of print.

The Creeping Nobodies - Augurs & Auspices MediaFire

MX-80 Sound - Someday You'll Be King 7" (1980)

Apologies for the lapse in updates. My stereo receiver was malfunctioning for whatever reason, so I was unable to rip any records without a harsh buzz accompaniment. To make up for it, I will try to update every day this week.

Here is a band that needs no introduction, Bloomington's own MX-80 Sound. This second single comes from their second full-length Out of the Tunnel, so maybe you could download it for the fantastic B. This was released on Ralph Records. Great, mostly overlooked post-punk.

My 100th entry is coming up soon... trying to figure something special I'll do it for it, if anything.

MX-80 Sound - Someday You'll Be King 7" MediaFire

The Trouble With Larry - The Trouble With Larry (1992)

Picking through racks at the local Goodwill today, I came across this intriguing gem. The cover art alone should catch anyone's eye, but upon closer inspection I found familiar names in the thanks section, among them Balcony of Ignorance. It seemed I wasn't dealing with an average find, so I bought it for about a buck. Upon getting it home and putting it my stereo, the catchy post-punk tunes of The Trouble With Larry filled the room. This eighteen-track CD tip-toes the border of post-punk and Dead Kennedys-esque punk rock, delivering dark, heavy and occasionally humorous songs with dual male vocals. While the music seems to hint at dance music with an industrial twist, it really sounds more like a punk record than anything to me.

I couldn't find a thing about this band or their label Good Kitty Records, but I am guessing they are from New York or at least from the east coast given the location of their label and the Balcony of Ignorance mention. (Given comments I've received on this entry, they were from Richmond, VA. Thanks!) If anyone can provide more information or tunes from this band, it would be appreciated.

The Trouble With Larry - The Trouble With Larry Mediafire