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MONDAY, JANUARY 28TH 2013 AT THE CHE CAFE:

THE GLASS CANOE (local experimental-pop) http://theglasscanoe.bandcamp.com/ INSPIRED AND THE SLEEP (local indie-pop duo) http://inspiredandthesleep.bandcamp.com/album/teenager http://www.inspiredandthesleep.com/ EVER ENDING KICKS (anacortes, wa minimalist-pop, member of Mount Eerie/LAKE) http://everendingkicks.bandcamp.com/ LITTLE BEAR (local doom-pop) http://www.facebook.com/littlebearsandiego http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMD-MxM4hOg $7 // 7PM // PUNK TIME IS DEAD.  thechecafe.blogspot.com

Facebook Event

REPOST//REBLOG

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SECRET PENNIES RECORDS!

About two months ago, the buds at SECRET PENNIES RECORDS, a DIY label based in Santa Barbara, sent me a package with a few tapes and a record they have released. Today (yes today), that package arrived at my door. Why it took so long, I do not know. But at least I am assured that this Christmas will be the best ever, because all of these releases rule. 

First off, we have the SLEEPER S/T cassette, the third release on SPR (limited edition of 100 green cassettes, get em' here). Sleeper is snotty pop-punk band from Oklahoma City, and I mean that in the best way possible. This tape consists of the complete(?) discography of Sleeper, with side A being a more melodic, sing-a-long amalgamation of songs, while side B depicts a more emo-punk side of the band. Fourteen songs on glorious tape fuzz. 

Lemme tell you, this stuff is GREAT. Very easy-going and not tough at all to sing along to. Fast, dirty, loud punk. You know the stuff. I think my favorite is the "Second Base", which sounds like something that could have came straight out of Dischord records. Give it a listen yourself below! 

Next up, we have the amazingly-awesome Quick Attack out of Santa Barbara. This is the S/T demo (edition of 50 tapes you can buy here) of this short-lived band. More simple, fun pop-punk. True story: I've had the first track, "You Know About Stag Beetles?", stuck in my head for a long time. I played one of my last "solo" shows with these folks a few summers ago. It was definitely a blast. In addition to creating wonderful music, singer and guitarist Indiana Laub is heavily involved in the Santa Barbara DIY scene, which is pretty awesome. 

Catchy, fun and witty music from good people. Stream/download below! 

Last but not least, we have the S/T 7" debut EP from Corvallis, Oregon's JTT (SPR4, limited edition of 200 on black vinyl and 100 on coke bottle clear which you can buy here). 

I have never heard of JTT until this record, and I can say that I am glad I finally listened to them. Consisting of only four short, fast tracks, you'll be listening to it over and over again. It definitely reminds me of Against Me; the singer has that Tom Gabel gruff. You can feel raw emotion dripping from his every word, which captivated me. The music is empowering, fast, melodic and folk based. And these aren't just songs, these are anthems, man. I just want to raise my fist and sing along to these tunes. The end of "Anonymous"...damn. 

It's a wonderful record. Check it out below!

-MT

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Hey.

It's been a while. Back again. 

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BLACK PANTHER // SICK OF SLEEPING IN

Whatever you do today, please listen to this album. It is fucking great. 

San Diego's Black Panther are four pretty young dudes who can write the catchiest songs. Sick of Sleeping In, their debut EP, consists of four equally amazing songs. Their style is very similar to Joyce Manor and it even reminds me of early Against Me! in some respects (vocalist Jon Mueller's lovely screams and their brand of hard hitting pop-punk). And geez, whenever those gang vocals hit on "Ikuze!" or "My Brother Sam", shiiiiiiiit. It's just so great.

Download the album for free on bandcamp or purchase it on cassette through Not Punk Records. You'll be very happy you listened to this today. 

FACEBOOK // BANDCAMP 

-MB

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JOEY FOURR // CRACK IS WHACK EP

About 3 seconds in, I instantly knew I would love this album. I WAS RIGHT! Joey Fourr is amazing. The Crack Is Whack EP is so fun! Digital drums, fuzzy pop-punk guitars, folky/quirky vocals make this a very amazing mix. It even comes with a zine in addition to the four songs. If the album art doesn't instantly draw you in, Joey Fourr's infectious hooks will have you humming along in no time. Check it out! 

BANDCAMP // FACEBOOK 

<a href="http://joeyfourr.bandcamp.com/album/crack-is-whack-ep" data-mce-href="http://joeyfourr.bandcamp.com/album/crack-is-whack-ep">CRACK IS WHACK EP by JOEY FOURR</a>

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A show I'm putting on in a few weeks. Check it out!

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ANTIQUE PONY // MUSEUM OF BLOOD

God. I love Antique Pony. They have such a strange sound that brings to mind bands such as Arab On Radar or Gang Of Four. In Museum of Blood, the Scottish band has created an experimental masterpiece.

Each song is so different from the other and it's constantly changing pace and time signature. Although the songs are so different, they connect together perfectly. It definitely kept me in check during my entire listen. It's an amazing, fresh listen. If you want to hear something like you've never heard before, check this out. 

BANDCAMP // FACEBOOK

<a href="http://antiquepony.bandcamp.com/album/museum-of-blood" data-mce-href="http://antiquepony.bandcamp.com/album/museum-of-blood">museum of blood by antique pony</a>

-MB

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PATCHWORK // CHANGES

"Things are changing all around me."

Patchwork seeks to depict that which develops around him using a multitude of soft, mellow atmospheric arrangements. In his newest work, Change, the Nanaimo, Vancouver Island-based artist harnesses the power of instrumental, "chill" music and uses it to really make you think.

It's not very often where I find an album like this where I can make a special attachment to. Change is a concept we're all entirely too familiar with. Capturing that feeling with music is something that isn't always easy to do. Patchwork executes it with perfection. It's really exciting to see. 

Stream/download it below and purchase the tape out now on Purr Tapes. 

BANDCAMP // FACEBOOK

<a href="http://patchworkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/changes" data-mce-href="http://patchworkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/changes">Changes by Patchwork</a>

-MB

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Last night, TOUGH STUFF graced us with their energy at the Che Cafe in San Diego. We had the chance to sit down with them and ask a few questions.

Interview coming soon! 

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KEVIN GREENSPON + NICOLE KIDMAN // ALREADY DEAD

Prolific Bridgetown Records songwriters Kevin Greenspon and Jon Barba aka Nicole Kidman are at it again, this time with collaboration 7", Already Dead. 

These two match up perfectly -- one creating a deafening wall of sound with pure guitar fuzz, while the other makes simple melodies on a broken keyboard. It's a very original sound, and it manages to stick with you all day. Very simple, yet insightful and heartwarming. Interesting fact: some of these songs were recorded using a junked television set. Small things like that really catch my attention and make me feel like this is a very special piece of music, which it is. If yr diggin' lo-fi weird pop punk, check it out! 

BANDCAMP // BRIDGETOWN RECORDS

<a href="http://bridgetownrecords.bandcamp.com/album/already-dead" data-mce-href="http://bridgetownrecords.bandcamp.com/album/already-dead">Already Dead by Kevin Greenspon + Nicole Kidman</a>

-MB

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TRIPTIDES // BRIGHT SKY

Bloomington, Indiana surf-pop band Triptides has released a new song off of their upcoming album, Sun Pavilion, on Stroll On Records, due Nov. 19th. Stream it below! 

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EVER ENDING KICKS // NOTION FREE

Ever Ending Kicks (formerly known as Motorbikes) is the solo project of Anacortes, Washington resident Paul Adam Benson, who also happens to play in a few other amazing bands such as Mount Eerie, LAKE and Hungry Cloud Darkening. 

Pacific-Northwest vibes reign throughout Notion Free. This is really mellow, catchy pop music. Benson's soft voice drifts along the clouds, slowly bringing you into a state of bliss with his infectious rhythms and heartwarming melodies. I am amazed at how consistent and beautiful his songwriting is. I hate picking "albums of the year" or whatever, but if I had to pick, this album would definitely be one of them. Check it out here and pick up the vinyl when it comes out!

BANDCAMP // FACEBOOK

-MB

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STARSKATE // GOODNIGHT NOBODY

I was recently introduced to Oakland's STARSKATE by a friend, and my only regret is that I had not heard of them any earlier. These guys rule. 

GOODNIGHT NOBODY is a fun feel-good listen. Happiness prevails above all other feelings. Catchy, lo-fi pop punk that sounds like it was recorded in a garage. Just the way I like it. GOODNIGHT NOBODY starts off with a bang ("Second Time" and "Home For the Holidays"), but stops to take a breath on track three, "Bodega Babe", which is a straightforward garage-pop gem, and goes on to rock 'n' roll for two more tracks. It's as if Joyce Manor had a child with Mean Jeans and started a garage band. It's worth your time, trust me. 

BANDCAMP // FACEBOOK 

<a href="http://starskate.bandcamp.com/album/goodnight-nobody" data-mce-href="http://starskate.bandcamp.com/album/goodnight-nobody">GOODNIGHT NOBODY by STARSKATE</a>

-MB

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TREMELLOW // COCKTEL DE AMOR

Totally stoned-out dreamy pop music. Check out Tremellow. Layers and layers of beautiful sonic textures which blow my mind. Catchy, fuzzed-out (Yes, I use this a lot to describe awesome things) music that resembles bands such as Deerhunter, Whirr, and Smashing Pumpkins. Too rad. 

This is a true story: 

When my band was on tour this summer, we played a show with Tremellow in a small thrift shop in Los Angeles. They supplied the free joints to the audience. This tiny room was filled to the brim with pot smoke while they rocked on. It was pretty wild. It's very fitting that they've priced this album at $4.20! 

But anyways, Tremellow is amazing. Listen to it. 

BANDCAMP // FACEBOOK

<a href="http://tremellow.bandcamp.com/album/cocktel-de-amor" data-mce-href="http://tremellow.bandcamp.com/album/cocktel-de-amor">Cocktel de Amor by Tremellow</a>

-MB

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CRISIS ARM // THREAD OF PISCES

Crisis Arm from Hemet, California is one crazy cool group of people. When I first saw them a few months ago at the Dial in Temecula, my first thought was that this was something you would totally see at a show at the Smell in Los Angeles or something. Really interesting and weird music. I dig it!

Thread of Pisces is an collection of nine semi-lo-fi songs, each with their own distinct components of sound that defy the standards of music. Elements of shoegaze and jazz music are prevalent throughout the entire listen and make for an intriguing mix. What are basic song conventions? Crisis Arm does away with that stuff and creates their own harmonious experimental noise. It's something you have to really sit down and take in to listen to. Thread of Pisces is an introspective piece of music that opens up galaxies within the mind to explore and harvest. This band creates deep, expressive music, which is hard to find these days. It's beautifully unique. 

BANDCAMP // FACEBOOK

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://crisisarm.bandcamp.com/album/thread-of-pisces" data-mce-href="http://crisisarm.bandcamp.com/album/thread-of-pisces"&amp;amp;gt;Thread of Pisces by Crisis Arm&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

-MB

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TEEN SUICIDE // I WILL BE IN MY OWN HELL BECAUSE THERE IS A DEVIL INSIDE MY BODY

"I've been searching for a way to stay in my dreams."

Can we just stay asleep forever? Sometimes dreams can only offer us the comfort and hope we need in a time of depression. Anxiety and loneliness overcome all happiness, as darkness and death slowly reap around the corner, waiting for the next move...

Maryland's Teen Suicide acquaints us with these feelings like an old friend. Nightmares can come true. I Will Be In My Own Hell Because There Is A Devil Inside My Body, their newest album, is the anthem of a heart-broken, lonely generation. Wonderfully executed, IWBIMOHBTIADIMB gives us ten songs ranging from hard hitting emo-punk full band arrangements to soft, heartfelt solo acoustic/keyboard ballads. It's woven together very nicely. Each song gives you new things to scream about, whether it be about teenage drug use, heartbreak, or death. IWBIMOHBTIADIMB is a personal cleansing of the soul. This is a beautiful album and you should listen to it. 

BANDCAMP // FACEBOOK 

<a href="http://teensuicide.bandcamp.com/album/i-will-be-my-own-hell-because-there-is-a-devil-inside-my-body" data-mce-href="http://teensuicide.bandcamp.com/album/i-will-be-my-own-hell-because-there-is-a-devil-inside-my-body">i will be my own hell because there is a devil inside my body by teen suicide</a>

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THE ALCHEMIST // RUSSIAN ROULETTE

I don't even know what to say about this. Hip-hop producer, The Alchemist whizzes 30 tracks by in a mere 45 minutes on his most recent release "Russian Roulette". Between jacked up 80's workout jams, reverb laden film noir sax solos, and nearly 20 blink-and-you-miss-them featured verses on top of consistently head bobbin' hi-hat driven beats, there isn't a dull moment on the record. This is a hip-hop album worth turning on, sitting down, and giving your full attention. I think I'm gonna go lay down and think about what I just listened to. 

-BxLx