Tigon “S/T EP”

Tigon
S/T EP
(self released, 2008)

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Pretty much the only word I can think of when this EP starts is “yes”. Every part of opening track “Dethcult” from San Francisco’s Tigon is done precisely, carefully, and, above all, heavily. The guitars and bass chase each other around the smothering drums while the vocals spew from what sounds like the mouth and mind of a man on the brink of a deep, unacceptable insanity. The songs on their self-titled, debut EP are soaked in the legacy and legend of Botch, the filth and disregard of The Icarus Line, and the technical “nerd-core” of Frodus and Drive Like Jehu. Strangely enough, I wouldn’t consider myself a major fan of what most people call heavy music, but when something is good I like it. Tigon is good. I like Tigon.

To get down to brass tacks, you can tell Tigon put a lot of time and energy into the sound of their solid, debut EP. The recording has no superfluous production tricks to hide any short comings, and the mix and master of the music is beyond impressive for being self released. This attention and care for their sound pays off. You can hear every hammer on and pull off in songs like “The Feeding” as if you were sitting next to the amplifiers. The kick drum in “Suneater” punches you in the chest as if it were driving home it’s point in a fierce argument. The vocals of ranting interlude “The Path” get into the middle of your skull like the singer wanted you to go insane as well. These sounds were executed and arranged perfectly, and we, the listeners, are better for it.

If the opportunity arises for you to see Tigon live, you need to grab the chance by the horns and make it your bitch. If you don’t have such luxury please find a way to buy this self released EP through mail or download. Tigon are what heavy rock n’ roll need, and I say yes, Tigon. Yes.

www.myspace.com/tigonsf

Fun Blood “Demo”

Fun Blood
Demo
(self released, 2007)

The recording of this demo sounds like it was done with a single microphone set in the middle of a garage/basement while mom and/or dad weren’t home. Everything comes out sounding loud, messy, and weird just like punk and demos should. The introduction of a wah wah pedal toward the end of the first song is an unexpected and welcome touch to this traditional brand of music. Does that make this band funk-punk, noise-rock? Not really, but it does make me happy to hear something (anything!) different in this tired genre.

While you can tell the kids of Fun Blood are passionate and whole-hearted about their musical efforts it does seem they aren’t used to playing together. Either that or they’re mostly drunk and don’t give a fuck. After listening to all 4 tracks on the CD the second option seems like the most viable one.

In summation; if you’ve got patches on nearly every article of your clothing, haven’t showered for a while, and bleeding from your ears (among other parts of your body) sounds like a good time, Fun Blood is probably your cup of tea.

www.myspace.com/funblood13

Who Calls So Loud “S/T”

Who Calls So Loud
S/T
(ADAGIO830 / Sorry Records, 2008)

Featuring the drummer from screamo kids Funeral Diner, Who Calls So Loud isn’t a far cry (haha… get it?) from the now ex-ed band. Their self-titled debut album (exclusively released as a double 10″) is heavy and intense as fuck with the yelping screams one would expect and hope for in music such as this.

As their world tour indicates there is still a demand, or atleast strong lingering appreciation, for bands of this genre. Thankfully, these kids have a few idiosincracies that will set them apart from the rest of their peers. The slide guitar that makes a handful of appearances on the album, as well as the delayed guitars and occasional ambient sound sample, gives Who Calls So Loud a strong Young Team-era Mogwai sound. In fact, the comparison is close enough to say that had Mogwai asked the singer for You and I or Saetia to do an album with them back in the day you’d probably get a sound almost exactly like this. That just might be something to call home about.

www.myspace.com/whocallssoloud