Bitch Magnet - Umber LP (1989)

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Seeing as how there are multiple entries about Seam here at The Thinner the Air, it's pertinent to discuss Sooyoung's heavier-hitting past for the fans and uninitiated alike. Bitch Magnet formed in the late 80s and played a post-hardcore-esque sound similar to bands like Squirrel Bait and Bastro: similar guitar tone, aggressive bass lines... essentially that Midwestern sound. I've seen other interesting comparisons, too, from Jawbox to Big Black. (P.S.: Bitch Magnet's Star Booty EP was produced by Albini.) Myself, I've always considered Bitch Magnet to be a like heavier Seam — dark and contemplative, yet still melodic and catchy.

It's shocking that this project received as little attention as it did, although I attribute that to the comparatively small labels (Communion, Glitterhouse, Roman Candle, Waterfront) that they released their records on. I was surprised to find that Umber was released in 1989, but the heavy "intellectual" indie sound was evolving at that time. For example, a compilation called Human Music, released by Homestead Records the year before Umber, is a favorite of mine and a prime example of the eclecticism of late 80s independent music. Lots of creativity and experimentation. As far as Bitch Magnet goes, it's a cornerstone post-hardcore record. But you can decide for yourself.

Members went on to Bastro, Don Cabellero, Walt Mink, and Gastr del Sol. My copy was Communion #12; it's beat up, written on, and now yours to mutually enjoy.

Incidentally, Bitch Magnet are reuniting for All Tomorrow's Parties this year.

Bitch Magnet - Umber LP MediaFire

The One AM Radio - Loose Ends: Rare & Unreleased Tracks (2009)

As always, apologies for the lack of updates. Something is amiss in my existence and I find it necessary to concentrate my time and energy on other preoccupations. To tide you over, here is a companion post to the One AM Radio single that I shared some time ago. If my memory serves me well, this package was created in 2009 prior to the band's/man's tour that year. Utterly, characteristically sparse recordings that are most likely to appeal to longtime fans of the band than the causal meandering reader. The CD includes various covers, some more interesting than others, that I will leave you to ponder yourself. There were 55 of these CDs made. I am looking into my turntable problem and I hope to return to your respective worlds shortly.

The One AM Radio - Loose Ends: Rare & Unreleased Tracks MediaFire

Seam - Hey Latasha b/w Mellow Noise U.S.A. (1995)

A little over a year ago, I started this blog back up on a bored whim after realizing that I had accrued a reasonable collection of music that I hadn't adequately perused. One hundred posts later, with 300-400+ views weekly and thousands of downloads, I'm pleased to see that this archive still serves its purpose for others as well as for myself. I hope to continue providing music and other forms of expression to anyone who may pass through this place. Thanks!

Here is a Seam record I was missing from that megapost a while back. I hadn't actually heard these recordings prior to acquiring it, so this was a treat for me as well. One of the discography's more overlooked singles, this was released in by Che Trading in 1995. The single is reminiscent of their Pace Is Glacial work: a prominently pop arrangement not without the Seam trademark melancholy. The B side is another story, a track that is an about face in its overt experimentation: a fuzzy, percussive track relying on peculiar loops and sparse guitar work. Unexpected, but nonetheless enjoyable.

Seam - Hey Latasha b/w Mellow Noise U.S.A. 7" MediaFire

Buellton - Avenue of the Flags (2001)

Now here's something from 2001 that's thoroughly worth a damn!

Buellton were a band that remain as much as a mystery to me as they are to most. For a band evidently doomed to obscurity, they crafted an album so wonderful that it is as carefully heard as it was created. Avenue of the Flags certainly didn't hit me the first time around, and it in fact took about a week of repeated listens to wrap my head around just what about it kept it afloat. At first, one may find the piece amateurish, with occasionally, admittedly predictable songwriting paired with equally ho-hum lyrics ("The Flow", "What Do You Suppose" immediately come to mind.) What I find sets this album apart from other early-2000's indie rock churned out during the era is their thoroughly original approach to pairing alt. country (if you'll forgive the term) tendencies with slowcore themes and Pavement-esque riffs. There is seldom a moment in this album that isn't somber, but despite their subject matter being so melancholy, Buellton keep one listening with catchy, varied sadcore with unique textures and techniques. It's interesting to me how every song retains its sadness while simultaneously jumping from country twangs, pop chorus lines, and slow-burning slowcore contemplations. Avenue of the Flags has a little something for (almost) everyone, really. I encourage multiple listens if it doesn't stick the first time. While some slowcore bands stick to a beaten horse with one trick in its mouth, Buellton embraced many influences and sounds, and created a multifaceted full-length built to envelop you. You know how it rains during the summer sometimes? That's exactly how this album feels.

With all this said, I own every Seam record ever made. Buellton were John Nygren, Erik Herzog, Andrew Giacumakis, and Tad Wagner.

Buellton - Avenue of the Flags MediaFire

34 Satellite - Stop (2001)

Seeing as how my stereo receiver is currently in revolt, I find it pertinent to share a CD instead. I think I actually picked this up a couple years after it was released, in the bargain bin. 34 Satellite were a Colorado quartet that had another full-length in addition to this one. Their music was put out entirely on Hideaway Records. I don't know anything about the band and I practically forgot I even owned this until I dug it out of my drawers. Definite "radio music" vibes going on here, but there are little tinges of spacey, shoegazey images thrown in to mix it up. The first few songs are somewhat interesting, if not rife with cliches, but the formula seems to be rehashed throughout the album. Other than that, mix R.E.M. with the Replacements and this is the most likely result; I mean, look at the release date! This is one of those entries posted purely for the purpose of archival, if you want to know the real truth... It has its moments, though. Similarly, maybe you'll also occasionally like it.

34 Satellite - Stop MediaFire

The Summer Hits - Beaches and Canyons 1992-96 (1996)

Ripped this more for myself, as I wanted to replace the poor digital copy I had on my computer. My musical upgrade equates to your musical gain. The Summer Hits were a Further-related project that included guitarist Brent Rademaker, who gave me this CD for free. They released many 7" records, but I'd think that this CD is their most recognized and listened-to release. "Criminally overlooked" is a beaten cliche that I will begrudgingly use to describe this band; I can't think of a band more overlooked, given its pedigree. This has been tossed around for years and years, but this band remains one that listeners give an instant pass. A compilation of noisy, carefree pop music that someone sober may not get the first time around, but give it a shot and you're sure to find a cozy, cacophonous niche worthy of an edgebreak. Just kidding.

The Summer Hits - Beaches and Canyons 1992-96 MediaFire

The Knit Separates - Maybe In Time I Could Change & The Memory Relaxer 7"

The Knit Separates were a band from San Francisco that, oddly enough, included a member of Social Unrest. (Incidentally, I just passed up an opportunity to pick up that band's SU-2000 LP yesterday...) While Social Unrest played pretty standard 80's hardcore in Berkeley, the Knit Separates go in a completely different direction. These two 7"s are great and, I daresay, abstract examples of the "lo-fi" sound that was reigning during the early-to-mid 90's.

On a side note, I use the term lo-fi with slight reluctance, as it's a word that I have superficial problems with. What could be called lo-fi back when and what is called lo-fi now are two different things. In my opinion, it is something that is now applied aesthetically, and as a means of projecting a band's image. And besides that, it's a rather stupid term. With that said, let's move on.

These records are very interesting to me, although there is nothing complex nor particularly profound about these recordings. However, it's their unrefined, minimal qualities that make them as beautiful and genuine as bands like Un. Both bands have a similar, simplistic sound that relies mostly on twangy strummed guitar and a vaguely distracted vocalist. The remarkable difference them is that this band presents itself as quite humble. I gather that this was a group of musicians from different backgrounds, although similar scenery, who perhaps settled down and wrote down the melodies that had been festering inside them in the background for years. Maybe, maybe. This band is a bit of a mystery and it was difficult to pull up anything personal about them.

In any case, both records are worth a shot for anyone interested in recent outsider music with pop tendencies. The first, Maybe In Time I Could Change, from 1997, is overtly sad, short, straightforward and a little poppy at times. The second, The Memory Relaxer, from the same year, is a lot quieter, toned down and elongated. The band released their music exclusively on 3 Acre Floor Records.

By the way, I highly recommend the new Pregnant LP to be on your upcoming playlist.

The Knit Separates - Maybe In Time I Could Change 7" MediaFire
The Knit Separates - The Memory Relaxer 7" MediaFire
The Knit Separates - Biography

Themes - War Over the Great Plains (2007)

All right, consider me back in action for a while. Summer is winding down, but the fall semester is on the horizon, so updates may dwindle in the coming weeks. Nevertheless, I enjoy writing these little diddys too much to pull myself away.

And GOOD NEWS: I managed to score a great low-end Sony turntable to replace my RCA warhorse that lasted me a decade. So, expect some new tunes from my record collection soon!

This one goes back to 2007, which wouldn't seem so long ago if I could remember half of it. I'm glad I kept this particular show's flyer because otherwise my photographic memory wouldn't be working overtime as I type this. I picked up this CD when I saw Themes at an Apgar House show in Oakland that year, a pitstop on what I assume was the band's first west coast tour. My friends and I arrived quite late but managed to catch half of Themes' set, the likes of which we could hear down the block; a very loud, eclectic band and sound, with two brilliant voices on top. What we saw was enough for us to hassle the vocalist and baritone guitarist (!) Jacy McIntosh for a copy of their album, War Over the Great Plains.

(Despite the omission, Loma Prieta also played this show. They were a three-piece at the time, and I believe that their EP had just come out.)

The album is about an hour long and rife with melancholy imagery and historical influence; very effective lyrics, too. War Over the Great Plains is truly all over the place: from creepy to longing, from psychotic to complacent, but absolutely beautiful and calculated 100% of the time. Some songs seem a little off in first half of the "sit down" (as the vocalist lovingly referred to the album as, if I'm not mistaken) but their already unstable foundations may be to blame for that. The songs switch off between piano and baritone guitar driven folk-influenced rock tunes, which is an interesting combination in itself. Haven't heard much like this band, although at moments throughout the album I am vaguely reminded of Black Heart Procession, as well as their friends The New Trust, due to similar emotions and themes (no pun intended.) I must say, though, the occasionally uncomfortable dual vocals of Jacy McIntosh and Kelsey Crawford are mostly what do it for me - honestly, what a pair these two make!

Per the artists' request, the links to this album have been removed.

Themes - MySpace

Hulaboy - Slip It Inside 7"

A limited edition single on Sticky Records by the Boyracer and Hula Hoop side-project, Hulaboy. Get it? Imagine my surprise, coming upon this in a hole in the wall shop for a quarter! I believe both of these songs are recorded live given the sound check (??? you'll see) and laughter from an audience at the beginning of the first song. This was released alongside their Mermaid Girl single which I admit I like a little bit more. Pop-oriented rock music. Signature Boyracer vocals on the second track. Apparently this project is still active. This is technically one sided; the record has two sides, but has the same songs on both.

Hulaboy - Slip It Inside 7" Mediafire

Further - Filling Station

Hoo boy. Where to begin? Well, first of all, if you haven't heard this record or the ever obscure Further at all, it's very important for you to do so. What better place to start than here, with their first 7" on Bong Load Records from 1992, which delivers two slices of brilliantly executed 90's indie rock rife with poppy hooks... Honestly, I'm trying to do this record/band justice, but there are only so many words I can use. This record also differs a bit from their later material which tends to be more sloppy, noisy and unrestricted (three perfectly fine qualities by me.) This record is a bit more cohesive and probably what stuck them with the stigma that they were ripping off bands like Dinosaur Jr. "Filling Station" builds you up slowly, keeps you high, and "The Sad Truth" sends you out in a wobbly, cynical alt. rock haze.

Further - Filling Station 7" Mediafire

The Raymond Brake - New Wave Dream b/w Secret

Any hardcore peruse-r of North Carolina indie rock, or perhaps just 90's indie rock in general may recognize this Polvo-worship band. The Raymond Brake were just a group of kids playing instruments in their garage it seems like - barely nineteen and twenty - and yet they displayed enough skill to rank up with their big name contemporaries. I was happy to snatch this from a Discogs user about a week ago for a fair $6 or so. I got a bit more than I bargained for, too, getting a early version of their fantastic song "New Wave Dream," this one being an old recording that I hadn't heard before. While the rendition here isn't my favorite, the B-side "Secret" makes up for it, delivering a clean and melodic diddy a little reminiscent (at least in my opinion) of Superchunk if they were prepubescent. A really great single that I'm glad to have gotten my hands on. Now if I could just get their full-length, Piles of Dirty Winters, I would be a much happier man.

Here is a more woozy, superior, dreamy version of New Wave Dream from the aforementioned full-length:



The Raymond Brake - New Wave Dream b/w Secret MediaFire

Carnal Knowledge - Demo (2007)

Reaching a bit farther back in time for this one. I picked this six-song demo up at Gilman about two or three years ago. I want to say it was a Pinhead Gunpowder show, but I can't be sure; I remember patch jackets, underage drinking, and run-ins with multiple ex-girlfriends. Carnal Knowledge opened the show.

Carnal Knowledge - Demo
Carnal Knowledge - MySpace

Megapost #1: Seam

I'm excited! I've been meaning to make this post for a while, but I never had the time for it. I'm happy to be sharing with you four early EPs by one of my favorite bands, Sooyoung Park's brainchild, Seam. What may be a familiar name to North Carolina indie rock aficionados as well as major fans of Codeine, Bedhead and other fellow slowcore giants may not be so to others (although don't let these comparisons fool you - they did a fantastic job of tiptoeing the slowcore line and reigning in a league of their own). Seam never enjoyed the popularity of the aforementioned bands however, and thus they are often overlooked by folks perusing the early Homestead and Touch & Go catalogs. It's a shame, really, given their talent, and their stupendous sophomore full-length The Problem With Me on Touch & Go. The only EP I'm missing is the Hey Latasha 7", recordings that I regretfully admit I haven't even heard. But it will soon stop evading me some day, I'm sure... same goes for their LPs, minus The Problem With Me..

Seam - Days of Thunder 7" Mediafire
Somehow the eponymous track was encoded in a lower quality than intended. Click here for a higher quality rip of that track. Sorry about that!

Their first EP is a straight up slowcore gem, tinged with a seemingly permanent melancholy heaviness found in Days of Thunder, which dissipates temporarily on the B-side with Grain, then finally kicks back in with mellower vibes with Which Way To Go?. Probably the best place to start.

Seam - Granny 9X 7" Mediafire

...and if not, this is the best place to start. Another great example of Seam's slowcore influence (Granny 9X) as well as their versatility (Look Back in Anger, a Television Personalities cover). Sooyoung's lingering regret and nostalgia shines through in his voice and his lyrics ("I threw my bike in the river / watched it sink into the night"). Distorted, loud, high-treble goodness - probably one of my favorite songs by them. On the B-side, they cover "Look Back in Anger" by Television Personalities, a version that I must admit I prefer over the original. Is that blasphemous?

Seam - Kernel 7" (Summershine Records Edition) Mediafire

A little note about this particular EP. This version I've uploaded is the Australian version on Summershine Records, a little known label from down under. This includes the two songs found on the American version as well as an extra song on the B-side entitled "Feather". I chose to rip this one for that reason.

Seam - Sukiyaki 7" Mediafire
Mirror Mediafire

Their final single, limited to and numbered out of 1000, has two covers to finish off their discography. "Sukiyaki" is a popular Japanese song originally written by Rokusuke Ei and made popular by Kyu Sakamoto, a Japanese singer. The B-side is "Heroes" by David Bowie.

Once I get a hold of the missing EP and the rest of their LPs, I will probably share them as well.

And if you haven't heard this band yet, why not?

Twain Harte - A Sunny Place For Shady People + S/T EP

Speaking of talking about local music, let's fast forward a bit. In about, I'd say, 2007, a band called Twain Harte was created by three guys in the area. What was made in the process was surprisingly phenomenal math rock, a genre that I admit I know very little about other than a handful of big names and a few obscurities. Two members switched off on bass and guitar in between songs during their sets. The drummer remained stationary. All members possessed musicianship not seen often in these parts. Probably some of the best live sets I've seen, too; everyone was always dancing and having a good time. I don't want to put down a predictable list of similar bands for two reasons: one, because most of those bands are very overrated, and two, because Twain Harte did well enough not to sound like a cut-and-paste version of them. While, yes, the similarities are apparent, A Sunny Place For Shady People is focused more on upbeat, happy (despite the subject material) and fun feelings with a punk edge. They obviously had as much fun creating their music as they did performing it.

It was a shame to see them break up considering how honestly talented they were, apart from a few botched performances that should be expected from, let's be frank, a group of teenagers. I don't know what the front members are up to, but I know Logan, the drummer, is playing in a couple bands here and there. This band was playing shows in Livermore at the about the time that the "music scene" was on life support. As they disappeared, so did (most of) the other bands, and the last remnants of our venues and shows.

Twain Harte - A Sunny Place For Shady People + Self-Titled Tour EP Mediafire
Twain Harte - MySpace