(Classic) Native Tongues (Part One)

Kind of Like: De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers
Genres: Hip-Hop
Preview: Boobtube


Yesterday we drove out to Birmingham and caught Beats Rhymes, and Life, the documentary about A Tribe Called Quest directed by Michael Rapaport.  What's this, you ask?  I featured it here a little while ago when I first heard about it.  It's a must see for anybody that appreciates hip-hop, especially early hip-hop.  Not to mention the movie was edited and directed very well.  In lieu of seeing that movie, I decided to post this.  It's a collection from the collaboration known as Native Tongues. The Native Tongues is a collective of late 1980s and early 1990s hip-hop artists known for their positive-minded, good-natured Afrocentric lyrics, and for pioneering the use of eclectic sampling and later jazz-influenced beats.  Its principal members are the Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest.  I may or may not have pulled that straight from wikipedia.  There also were many other flagship members, and later affiliations.  Seeing that this was a collaboration that had a massive amount of material related to it, I am going to split it up into parts.  This part I found on another site looks to be remixes of early Native Tongues songs.  I want to do another part that has related artists further down the line like J Dilla, The Beatnuts etc etc

Tracklist:
A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It? (Extended Boilerhouse Mix)
Queen Latifah - Mama Gave Birth To The Soul Children (The Infant Mix) (Feat. De La Soul)
Black Sheep - Without A Doubt (Salaam's Mix Edit)
De La Soul - Me Myself And I (Oblapos Mode)
A Tribe Called Quest - Lyrics To Go (Tumblin' Dice Remix)
Fu-Schnickens - Ring The Alarm (Extended Mix)
Leaders Of The New School - The International Zone Coaster (L.O.N.S. Ultra Shandilere Tango-Trixx Mix)
Jungle Brothers - How Ya Want It We Got It (Roc Raida's Native Tongues Remix) (Feat. De La Soul & Q-Tip)
De La Soul - Ego Trippin' (Egoristic Mix)
Monie Love - Work It Out (Platinum Vocal Extended)
A Tribe Called Quest - Oh My God (UK Flavour Radio Mix)
De La Soul - Keepin' The Faith (12'' UK Mix)
Da Bush Babees - Swing It (Jazziness Version)
Shortie No Mass - U Like My Style (Da Beatminerz Remix)
Chi-Ali - Funky Lemonade (The Beatnuts Remix)
A Tribe Called Quest - Check The Rhime (Mr. Muhammad's Mix)
De La Soul - Buddy (Native Tongue Decision Version) (Feat. A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, Monie Love & Queen Latifah)
Jungle Brothers - On The Road Again (My Jimmy Weighs A Ton) (Q-Tip Remix) (Feat. Q-Tip)
Leaders Of The New School - Case Of The P.T.A. (Cut Monitor Milo Remix)
Black Sheep - Strobelite Honey (Maybe We Did Mix)
De La Soul - Eye Know (The Know It All Mix)
Jungle Brothers - What 'U' Waiting '4'? (Love Ride & Orchestra Mix)
A Tribe Called Quest - Jazz (We've Got) (Re-Recording Radio Version)
De La Soul - Say No Go (New Keys Vocal)
Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y. (QD III's Big Titty Mix)
A Tribe Called Quest - Public Enemy (Saturday Night Virus Disco Mix)
Fu-Schnickens - La Schmoove (K-Cut Remix) (Feat. Phife Dawg)
De La Soul - Breakadawn (Foncett Power Radio Mix)
Da Bush Babees - Remember We (Salaam Remi Version)
A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario (Young Nation Mix) (Feat. Leaders Of The New School)
Monie Love - It's A Shame (My Sister) (Monie Dee Mix) (Feat. Ultra Naté)
Jungle Brothers - Doin' Our Own Dang (JB's Mix) (Feat. De La Soul, Monie Love, Q-Tip & Queen Latifah)
Chi-Ali - Roadrunner (ATCQ Puberty Mix)
De La Soul - A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays" (Dave's Home Mix) (Feat. Q-Tip & Vinia Mojica)
A Tribe Called Quest - Butter (Hip Hop Mix)

Sorry, this is a multiload, not mediafire.   It's 237 MB so it's too big to fit on mediafire.

Listen Here:

Zine mail orders update

Just letting the people know that ordered physical versions of the SIGD zine that I got around to sending them out today.  I still have a few left though.  So, if you want one mailed to you for free, send an e-mail with your name and address and "Zine" in the subject to sometimesigetdrunk@hotmail.com.  After these last few are gone I will probably only be reproducing them for local distro only. That is all, have a good day.

Survival is not a Workout by Duck. Little Brother, Duck! (2010)

Kind of Like: And So I Watch You From Afar, Girlfriends, 1994!, Tera Melos
Genres: Emo, Math Rock, Post-hardcore
Preview: Bandcamp


This has already been featured on a bunch of blogs, and I actually already have been listening to them for a minute.  However, I received an e-mail from Kyle from the band saying they are getting ready to record a new album.  They are trying to get this older album out as much as possible before releasing a new album, and he said he would appreciate if I featured it on here.  Seeing that this came out awhile ago and there shouldn't be an annoying overlap of blogs covering this, why not?  I listen to this a bit and really enjoy anyways, so check it out!  You better fucking dance to this.

Listen Here:

Anatema by Afrontar (2011)

Kind of Like: No Omega, Black Tusk, Von Wolfe
Genres: Metal, Hardcore, Sludge, Punk
Preview: Bandcamp

From what I can tell these guys are from El Salvador, or somewhere from Latin America.  Heavy ass riffage going on right here; the music ranges from fast and chaotic to slow, heavy and brutal.  I like the album art too.  I'm not big on the metal-esque fonts, but the whole decomposing body in a pool of water is pretty intense.

Listen Here

Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare by Zechs Marquise (2008)

Kind of Like: The Mars Volta, Crime in Choir, RX Bandits
Genres: Experimental, Progressive, Psychedelic, Math Rock
Preview: Bandcamp


I briefly mentioned this band a week or so ago because they opened for RX Bandits and Maps & Atlases.  They also are the "sibling band" of the Mars Volta (Omar's brother is part of Zechs Marquise).  Here is their album, and hopefully I will be able to get my hands on Getting Paid, their new album, which comes out this fall.  Here is the album cover for that and a teaser.  After that is a link for their previous album (really digging the dark, surrealist album art for that).

Listen Here

Vacation by Bomb the Music Industry! (2011)

Kind of Like: Arrogant Sons of Bitches, The Wild, O Pioneers!!!, The Fad
Genres: Punk, Ska, Experimental, Hardcore, Electronica
Preview: Herpderp

BTMI! spawned from ASOB.  They had an idea: why not put out records ourselves, and not charge people any money for them?  I'm sure bands had done this before, but this was the first I heard of a band doing it with such success.  They even have a place at the merch table to make your own shirt.  You bring a shirt and they give you stencils and paint to make your own BTMI! shirt.  This DIY/punk ethic was something they were all about from the get go.  And it's working for them; they even are signed to a label (but still put out their albums for free).

Back when I was in a shitty ska/punk band, I had the honor of opening for this band at the Neutral Zone in Ann Arbor when they were first starting to tour.  I had a great time, and I really liked what they were doing.  Now, many other bands are catching on and doing the same thing.  If you don't really like ska or punk, you can take comfort in knowing that I think this is their most accessible album yet.  I haven't heard a ton of it as of right now (I'm at work), but I definitely think people that don't listen to those genres can appreciate the music here.

Listen Here or Here

El Ten Eleven (2004-2010)

Kind of Like: The Six Parts Seven, The Mercury Program, Masterati, Adebisi Shank
Genres: Post-rock, Math Rock, Indie
Preview: Derpspace


Last night I was bowling at the Garden Bowl.  I hate their lanes so much (they don't grease them at all), but I really wanted to put some zines out in the venues surrounding it.  After the times was up for bowling, we didn't have anything else to do.  So, I wanted to venture up to the Magic Stick and see what is going on up there.  The show had already started awhile ago up there, so there was nobody watching the door.  I was down for a free show.  Once we made it up to the Stick, I saw the Globes' merchandise display; I had become accustomed to it because they had opened for so many bands I had seen in the past year.  I was surprised I hadn't heard of this show, and wondered who they were playing with.  Then the El Ten Eleven shirts caught my eye, and it dawned on me.  I had totally forgotten about this show.  I RSVP'ed for it months ago, and out of shear luck, I stumbled into it for free.  El Ten Eleven had just started their set.  The people running the stick had closed off the big stage, and had instead set up a smaller stage where the pool tables were.  This made for a very tight and intimate concert.  They also had a big white backdrop that was playing a video feed of the pedals which I also thought was cool.  I actually didn't know El Ten Eleven was just two guys.  A drummer and a guy playing a Wal fretless bass, and a 1977 Carvin guitar/bass doubleneck  He mostly played the doubleneck, and he put on a clinic with that thing.  I was completely dumbfounded as he managed to sound like three or four people using layers and that double neck.  A lot of the time he would play the bass and the guitar at the same time, and I hated him.  I really hated him.  Then I watched the drummer, and he switches between traditional acoustic drums, roto toms and electronic drum pads, usually within each song. To add to the insanity he will occasionally loop himself as well.  I hated him almost as much as I hated the guitarist. You should download their tunes, and then go see them and hate them too.  Christ, one of the best shows I went to so far this year, and it was by accident.

Listen Here:
El Ten Eleven (2004)
Every Direction is North (2007)
These Promises Are Being Videotaped (2008)
It's Still Like a Secret (2010)

SIGD (tumblr edish)

Seeing that tumblr allows people to follow posts much easier than blogpot (and I would like to follow cute pictures of corgis), I made a tumblr edition of this site.  This site is by no means shutting down, I am simply going to start copying the posts here and putting them on the tumblr site as well.  Use whatever format best suits you.

SIGD tumblr

Cold in the Guestway by Gypsyblood (2011)

Kind of Like: Guided By Voices, Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, Foo Fighters
Genres: Rock, Indie, Garage Rock, Noise Rock
Preview: Bandcamp

I've been trying to find a leak for this for months.  Maybe I just haven't been looking hard enough, but I finally found one.  I have been excited to hear this debut from the Chicago based band that got signed to Sargent House.  I heard the first song and have been looking for it ever since:

It's a pretty solid debut, and Sargent House continues to impress me by not only having a great roster of bands, but also having a great roster of bands from varying genres.  I haven't seen any plans for tours by them yet, but I'm going to keep my eye out.  Finally, for the people expecting a zine, I hope to have them mailed out tomorrow.

Listen Here:

(Classic) Deloused in the Comatorium by the Mars Volta (2003)

Kind of Like: At the Drive-In, the Sound of Animals Fighting, Fall of Troy
Genres: Progressive, Rock, Experimental
Preview: Myspace


Many people ask the question of who do you like more, At the Drive-In or the Mars Volta?  If you asked me which of their body of work was better as a whole, I would say At the Drive-In.  If you asked for a specific album, I would say this album trumps just about all the material that the core of this band has put out in their different projects.  Unlike all their newer releases that the Mars Volta insists on releasing every year, there was a lot of time and work put into this album.  The result is a debut album that became a classic.  At the Rx Bandits show, I missed the opener, Zechs Marquise, which features family members of the Mars Volta/At the Drive In.  From the people who I asked, they said that they had a great set.

Listen Here:

Vacations by The Caution Children

For fans of: We Were Skeletons, Touche Amore, Kidcrash, Daniel Striped Tiger
Genres: Screamo, Shoegaze, Post-Hardcore
Preview: Bandcamp

TCC is on tour right now with We Were Skeletons, who's show I just got home from. If any of the bands listed in the FFO section interest you, check these guys out. Vacations was released in 2008 and is available as a "pay what you want" through bandcamp. Live, these Floridians take charge of the stage and put on a very entertaining show. Their newest record was released late last month and is available through Tokyo Jupiter Records here.

Premier by Gorilla Warfare Tactics (2011)

Kind of Like: Cities Aviv, Chris Young, Kanye, Jay Electronica
Genres: Hip-hop
Preview: 

Somebody threw their song "Temptations" up on turntable.fm, and I was instantly hooked, always appreciate some great choice of samples.

"Gorilla Warfare Tactics is a Hip-Hop trio (featuring rapper Kid Dilla and production duo CakexCrumbs) hailing from the New York City music scene. Their music is heavily influenced by the grooves and tendencies of old school Hip-Hop, but with a pretty clear though of the new wave artists such as Kanye West, J. Cole, and Jay Electronica.

They are currently working on their debut EP, which is set to drop Mid-February. Gorilla Warfare Tactics plans to release a lot of good music in the coming months and a full mixtape over the month."
-Last.fm

Here is their mix tape and a new song called  Rewind Rhyme that just dropped a couple days ago.
Premier
Rewind Rhyme

(Classic) Do Make Say Think

Kind of Like: Godspeed, Explosions, Mogwai, Broken Social Scene
Genres: Post-Rock, Indie, Shoegaze
Preview: Myspace


Quite simply put, the first Do Make Say Think concert was one of the best shows I ever went to.  It was back when we could still smoke in bars in Michigan, so a lot of people were smoking "cigarettes".  I sat back and was treated to one of the best jams ever.  They subtly changed so many parts of their material, and wove together songs to epic proportions.  Their first self-titled album was extremely experimental and shoegaze, eventually they developed into a more formal post-rock band over time with having hints of folk/indie in the mix.  It is also one of the many projects associated with the Broken Social Scene family.  Charles Spearin is in this BSS and DMST, and I will contend that he has the meanest moustache of indieness.  And he had it before it was the ironic thing to do.

Moustache Ride: Free (I would hope)

My favorite album by them is Goodbye Enemy Airship, followed by You, You're a History in the Rust.  Their newest album was decent; I still thoroughly enjoy the first track: "Do" (can you guess the names of the other three songs?).  Here are four albums by them:

Listen Here:

Do Make Say Think (1998)

Goodbye Enemy Airship, The Landlord is Dead (2000)

You, You're a History in the Rough

Other Truths (2009)

Parmesano! EP by Parmesano

For fans of: Don Cabellero, Man Your Horse
Genres: Math Rock, tropical indie goodness
Preview: Bandcamp

I try and stray away from just re-posting bands from other blogs, but these guys stood out to me and I felt there were visitors here who would like this slightly tropical sounding brand of math rock. I've seen the tag post-hardcore attached to this group, but I think they fall more into the indie and math rock styles more so than p-h, but check 'em out and make your own decisions as to what they sound like. After all, we are here to help bands get recognition and introduce people to new and awesome music. Your job is to listen, buy, and tell friends about these awesome blogs and bands; it's up to you in the end to figure out how to describe them.

Parmesano take rather simple arrangements and makes them unique by leaving space and adding character. Hailing from Barcelona, this quartet creates fun and enjoyable music that is easy to digest, but doesn't get boring. Download for free from their Bandcamp page.

Preview the First Issue of the Zine!

Click to enlarge all of the images.  There are also a few more pages (but I didn't feel like censoring anymore stuff, refer to the first image to see what is included).  I'm going to Kinko's tonight to start making copies so that I can distribute a bit at the RX Bandits/Maps & Atlases show.

Also, everyone that signs up for a free zine in the mail will not only receive this zine made with lots of love, but also a link to download the two new Prawn songs from their upcoming split with For Hours and Ours.  The only problem I'm having is that they are on tour right now and can't get internet to send me them, so hopefully I will get those in the coming week and anybody that signed up will get the link.  To get your own copy, free of charge, just e-mail sometimesigetdrunk@hotmail.com with zine in the subject and your name and address in the body.  I already have a bit of people signed up, but here's another enticement to get your attention.

Next quarter's issue (Fall) will most likely be out...in the fall.  Like September/Octoberish.  And will hopefully feature interviews with RX bandits, Maps & Atlases or both...or none.  Depending on what happens tomorrow.

Update: Unfortunately, I will not be able to provide the songs from Prawn immediately.  Jamie said he would send me them, but they want to wait to leak it because the record isn't out yet.  Sawwy.

(Classic) The RX Bandits

Kind of Like: The Sound of Animals Fighting, Mars Volta, Streetlight Manifesto, Portugal. The Man
Genres: Progressive, Rock, Indie, Experimental, Ska/Reggae
Preview: Bandcamp


I'll never forget the first time I was exposed to the RX Bandits.  I was in the car with two friends and my girlfriend at the time, and we had just smoked.  We were sitting in the parking structure in downtown Plymouth, and my friend put in ...And The Battle Begun.  I was instantly blown away.  I found The Resignation and I was blown away further.

These are two albums that I still listen to to this day.  I am also including the albums Progress and Mandala.  Progress was the album before Resignation, and it was their first material that began to drift away from the ska/punk band they used to be.  They were becoming progressive, rockier, and somewhat mathier.  Mandala was their most recently released album, and although it is a pretty good album (it has a few really good songs on it), it really doesn't compare to the two albums before that.  I have seen them several times live, and one of their shows was where I got to see Maps & Atlases for the first time.  I have been meaning to make a classic post for them awhile, but I especially did it now because I am going to their final show in Detroit this week.  If you have never heard of or seen them before, I recommend you see them on their farewell tour.  Download the albums, get hooked on them, and experience them live.  They are certainly a jam band; they tend to mix their songs together.  They will jump from one song to another then back to the first, and it makes for a very entertaining and pleasurable experience.

Listen Here:
Progress (2001)

The Resignation (2003)

...And the Battle Begun (2006)

Mandala (2009)

Three Way Split by Bone Dance/Divider/Plebian Grandstand (2011)

Kind of Like: Gaza, Botch, Ken Mode, Deadguy, Neurosis
Genres: Sludge, Chaotic Hardcore/Mathcore, Post-Hardcore
Preview: Bandcamp

"Three bands, three different interpretations of hardcore/punk, two continents, one policy: Destroy.


BONE DANCE (Boise, Idaho, USA) doesn't want to be your friend. The nihilism you'll hear from these self-described "five loud dudes with shitty attitudes", playing their exceedingly raw brand of chaotic hardcore/sludge, will ring a bell whether you're into GAZA or KEN MODE, BOTCH or CURSED. Conceived with a colossal sense of brutality, yet never forsaking their punk ethos, "West" and "Conniver" will further consecrate this band as one to watch. Remember this goddamned name.


No matter how paradoxical it may seem, DIVIDER (Long Island, New York, USA) would prefer to unite rather than to divide. Uniting the sound of more modern filthy hardcore bands with a strong sense of punk emergency, these two tracks ("Gaia" & "Halios Geron" ) introduce Chris Tzompanakis behind the mic, best known for his work with the influential group SKYCAMEFALLING in the early 2000's. If you're into DEADGUY, THE POWER AND THE GLORY, or VISION OF DISORDER, you've found the perfect soundtrack for your next bare-knuckle boxing match.


As for PLEBEIAN GRANDSTAND (Toulouse, France), if the shrapnel-laden assault that was "How Hate Is Hard To Define" had you asking for more, this time around there won't be any survivors left to beg for a rematch. If the explosion of screaming and distortion that is "Woe Is Me" isn't enough, then the hallucinatory "Woe Is You", with its NEUROSIS inspired, trance-like drums, and a throbbing bassline that builds to a crescendo which threatens to tip the richter scale, certainly will be. The first time I heard these tracks, I felt like ripping off my eyelids. And I won't be the one."
-Bandcamp

Pretty effin' brutal if you ask me.

Listen Here

If It Carries on Like This We are Moving to Morecambe by The Fierce & The Dead (2011)

Kind of Like: Mogwai, Empire Express, Codes in the Clouds
Genres: Post-Rock, Ambient, Post-Hardcore, Experimental
Preview: Bandcamp

The Fierce And The Dead release their long awaited debut album on the 16th May, the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut EP from 2010. Featuring Matt Stevens - Guitars, Kev Feazey - Bass/synths/production and Stuart Marshall on drums the album has been recorded over the last year. Nick Cave/Faust/Lydia Lunch saxophonist Terry Edwards features on two tracks. The album is dedicated to close friend Dan Wilson who passed away during the making of the album. There are 10 songs, all shorter than the one on the first EP (although that song was 19 minutes long). The album is released on their own Spencer Park Music label (after turning down several record companies) and they are looking forward to touring in the summer, dates to be announced soon.

Press for their debut EP:

"I was instantly impressed. Sort of a post rock trip through many genres. This thing takes so many corners in its 19 minutes it's unreal. Good for chilling out to. Certainly one to keep an eye on, can't wait to hear more from these guys."
Veins Dried Out.

"The one track lasts just about 20mins and I would encourage everyone to get it. I did and I simply LOVE it. Well afterall its simply what we all dig to bits."
The Siren Sounds.

"TFATD move through their dynamics and sonics fluidly so that my point of focus is always in flux. I can’t nail it down. And that’s a wonderful thing."
Mr Atavist

"We’re simply blown away and can’t wait to share “Part 1” with our listeners, if that’s okay. Your guitar work is fucking brilliant and the tone is a dream. It’s rare that we get this excited over new musicians (new to us, anyway) and I wanted to share that with you".
Progopolis Podcast

".... Part 1 is an intriguing first missive that promises to lure in fans of everything from Pink Floyd and Goblin through to Mogwai and Slint."
Classic Rock Presents Prog

"...REALLY crazy. This song is not content with being one thing. It’s all over the map (in a good way)."
Amphetazine

"Judging by the enthusiastic response from listeners and bloggers alike, the will of this band to transcend the limitations of traditional forms clearly satisfies a deep craving for Rock music to be much more than just three chords and a melody again"
Tokafi.com

"I expect great things from The Fierce & The Dead in the future, and I’m sure they will build on what is a fantastic debut track."
Espy Rock

Surprised I never heard of these guys before.  Definitely a post-rock band at heart, but they also bring unique electronics/instruments and other things to the mix.  They also have superb production from what looks to be a DIY recording setup.  The album starts off slow, but has a lot of good grooves once you start really getting into it that range from upbeat and catchy to trudging and ominous.

Listen Here:

Iron Chic/Pacer Split (2011)

Kind of Like: Dividers, RVIVR, Bangers, Spraynard
Genres: Punk, Pop Punk, Emo
Preview: Pacer Bandcamp, Iron Chic Bandcamp

Pacer is from the UK, and features members of The Steal.  Iron Chic is from New York and features members from Latterman, Small Arms Dealer, Get Bent, Jonesin', and Capital.  You can buy this pleasant 7 inch here.  Sorry I haven't been putting stuff up here as frequently, as I said before I'm working on another project which should be done this weekend.  Also, I have discovered Turntable.fm, and I am becoming obsessed with it.

Listen Here

The Holy Mess by the Holy Mess (2011)

Kind of Like: Glocca Morra, The Menzingers, Spraynard
Genres: Punk
Preview: Bandcamp

"Since 2007, The Confusion Saint has:
Smited 2.5 pickup trucks (that they work in Terço).
Jammed The Menzingers in a race of the case.
Bought a tow shitty of Schramm of the recorded Pat.
Journeyed on 2 EP’s for its own proper strange register of the Skull.
Played a group of samples with show."
New release of recorded song to follow later this year…"
-Last.fm

Singer reminds me a bit of Glocca Morra, but this band is only somewhat similar musically.  Really catchy punk rock.  They are playing Riot Fest this year with the likes of the Suicide Machines, The Flatliners, and more.  They also are hitting Fest up this year.  I tried to get my tickets but it sold out in 7 minutes and something happened with the card.  But, they said we most likely will get in the next round.  I feel a sort of void until I am sure I have my tickets confirmed for Fest.

Listen Here

Topshelf Records 2011 Sampler

Lotsa bands here, a lot of them have already been featured here and then a whole bunch that haven't.  Think of it as a really big (467 MB) mixtape.

Listen Here

(Classic) Sunny Day Real Estate

For fans of: Jeremy Enigk, all things '90s emo
Genres: The godfathers of emo...
preview:
"In Circles" track 2 from Diary

Happy birthday America. I'm drunk. Here is one of the most influential and classic bands of ALL TIME. 'nuff said. Get this NOW:

Diary (1994)
LP2 (1995)
How It Feels To Be Something On (1998)
The Rising Tide (2000)

Possibly reunion and new album in the works...

(Regional Reading) Pity Sex/Brave Bird (2010-2011)

Kind of Like: Snowing, Dowsing, Brand New
Genres: Math Rock, Emo, Indie
Preview: Bandcamp/Bandcamp

Got to meet a few of the guys from these bands when I saw the two Prawn shows in Michigan.  It turns out they are from the Metal Frat, so they actually booked the Prawn show there last week.  Although, I didn't agree with the order of the bands for that show, it still was a fun show.  The next day they ventured out to Grand Rapids and opened up a great house show out there.  These are a couple promising emo bands from Michigan.  When I first asked Prawn who were they most impressed with by bands they played with for the tour, these were two names they immediately mentioned.  Funny story: when I first showed up in Grand Rapids, Chris from Brave Bird flipped his shit about my Pseudo Strike shirt because he used to watch them play shows in Ann Arbor in middle school.  It was a funny story because I was in that band; small fuckin' world.

Apparently, both bands like cats too:

Get the SIGD Quarterly Zine!

I'll do this to you if you don't sign up.

So, I've been talking to a few people about this idea and they seem to like it and such, so I thought I'd give it a try.  It all started last week when I saw Page One: Inside the New York Times.  Here is briefly what it's about: "With the Internet surpassing print as our main news source and newspapers all over the country going bankrupt, Page One chronicles the transformation of the media industry at its time of greatest turmoil."  It was a decent movie, but it really got me thinking about print changing to digital, and I decided to try converting this site into a dying, but nostalgic format.  So, just for fun, I'm going to make a quarterly zine that includes short blurbs about albums featured on here new and old, where to download them, interviews with bands featured on here, artwork/comics, maybe a few easter eggs that will lead you to weird places online, and maybe something about alcohol.  The past couple days I hung out with Prawn, and they were very enthusiastic about being interviewed, when in reality it just turned out that we got drunk and such each night and hilarity ensued.  So there will be condensed reviews and a bunch of stuff that isn't really featured on here, and who doesn't like getting something fun in the mail to read/look at?  I probably will put a link in the zine too where you can listen to the full "interview".  Prawn's was really funny and interesting, especially because it was at the end of the night so we covered a lot of ground in our beer/pasta stupor.

For the first few editions of this zine, I will probably just pay out of my pocket for the copies, just because it's something fun I wanna do.  Depending on how I feel about it I may set up a paypal account and try to make up for the expenses through donation or maybe charge a dollar for a year or something.  We'll cross that road when we get there.  I will be working on the first one (Summer Edition) in the next two weeks and then hopefully mail them out/distribute them immediately after.  So, if you want your own, all you need to do is e-mail: sometimesigetdrunk@hotmail.com.  Put "Zine" in the subject, and then put your name and address in the body.  Don't worry about identity theft, I don't really know how to do that.

Also, if you write for one of the many music blogs out there, I would be completely fine if you wanted to contribute some words/reviews of albums and I would have a link to your site in it as well.  If you are an artist or make comics feel free to also send some work and I'll probably throw it in there.

On a final note, Grand Rapids area is the best, and I look forward to being back out there in the near future.

I did not take this picture.  Lake Michigan sunsets can't be beat though.

Bear Walkers Split by Bearcubbin'!

For fans of: The Bulletproof Tiger, Battles, Don Cabellero
Genres: Math Rock, Experimental
Preview: Bandcamp

The show with Man Your Horse was incredible. Those guys know how to rock something fierce and do it with articulated precision. If you have the chance to catch them on the last leg of tour, I strong urge you to do it. They are actually coming back through Portland next Friday (7/8) with this band: Bearcubbin'!

One of the most notable things about Bearcubbin'! is the drummer, who has worked with The Smashing Pumpkins (no, not Jimmy Chaimberlain, this is Mike Byrne). But that is far from the most interesting or unique part of this trio. Bercubbin'! make super tight and intelligent music with a mathy and experimental core, then layer thick grooves and abundant melody on top of that to make this three song release stand out from a lot of the other bands working with this style right now. The song structures are thought out and captivate you from the first notes. This is only the Bearcubbin'! side of the split with Jewels and The Wall Walkers (<---click there for the rest of the split). You can get all of their music from bandcamp and if you live in the Portland area, check these guys out at the Ella Street Social Club on Friday, July 8th.

Download for free here, or you can throw them a couple bucks.

Untitled Demo + EP by Merlin the Friend (2010, 2011)

Kind of Like: American Football, Piglet

Genres: Math Rock, Indie, Emo

Preview:  Bandcamp

These guys opened the show for Prawn last night in Ann Arbor, they don't have much out there available for a listen, but I immediately thought of Piglet as they played.  Some really solid potential.  Right now they have a drummer, bass player, guitarist, and singer.  They said they are trying to get the singer to play some guitar too, and I really think that would help fill things out a little more.  Let's see what these guys do in the future.

I haven't been on here much because I've been working on something that I will probably announce on here soon.  For now, go check out Prawn if they are stopping by in your city.  They are really cool guys and deserve a lot of attention.  I'm actually gonna make the trip out to Grand Rapids later today to catch them again.

Listen Here: