Surf | The Decibel Tolls

Man or Astro-man? sounded like The Ventures after being anally probed by aliens and promptly dumped behind a Radio Shack. In fact, the band claims to be from outer space but rumor has it they surfed out of the same Auburn, Alabama scene as the Immortal Lee County Killers and The Quadrajets.

Dropping science on top of surf guitars, MoAM toured the country with a wagonload of retro tech including theremins and even a homemade tesla coil which remarkably never resulted in a Spinal Tap moment of spontaneous combustion. The band also built its own supercomputer called Eeviac which is reputed to be the most powerful supercomputer ever used on stage by a rock band.

What Remains Inside a Black Hole was an Aussie import on Au-Go-Go Records which compiled many of the band’s early 7” singles. The live version of “Eric Estrotica” was originally included on Man or Astro-man? Vs. Europa while “Adios Johnny Bravo” – complete with Brady Bunch samples – was incarnated in wax on Possession by Remote Control. Estrus later released a domestic facsimile, Beyond the Black Hole, which included many but not all of the tracks on the Au-Go-Go release.

Bands with a schtick are sometimes entertaining, sometimes annoying. In the realm of entertainment, MoAM’s live shows rank at the head of the class. Certainly well above the toilet antics of GWAR though not quite as retro as The Mummies. For a little teaser check out this snippet from the YooTubes:

MP3 :::
Man… or Astro-Man? – Eric Estrotica (Live in Space)
Man… or Astro-Man? – Adios Johnny Bravo

Wavves Two Bands I Dig Who Spell Their Names Incorrectly

Wavves is the one-man project of distortion architect Nathan Williams, or as I call him, No Age Jr. No Age is a good reference point for Wavves, as both groups consist of skateboarding SoCal dudes who appreciate noise-damaged pop. Williams’ eponymous debut comes replete with Brian Wilson vocal harmonies, seriously hummable melodies, and swells of screaming, treble-saturated feedback. Sure, that recipe sounds like Psychocandy, but since the Jesus and Mary Chain could never follow that album up themselves, I’m cool with other bands trying to do that. And Williams knows exactly what he’s doing, as all the song titles almost exclusively featuring the words “beach,” “demons,” “goth,” and “girls.”

Despite the shtick, Wavves demonstrates solid songwriting on the askew sunshine pop of “No Hope Kids,” as well as an appreciation for ambient exploration on “Beach Goth.” Wavves is a great listen, especially with the weather warming up. However, I would also urge you to check Indianapolis’ excellent Marmoset. They mastered the psychedelic no-fi garage thing long before the term “shitgaze” was coined.

Wavves is out March 17th on Fat Possum (strangely enough).

51i8BU1DrSL._SS500_ Two Bands I Dig Who Spell Their Names Incorrectly

This was originally released in November ‘08 and flew under my radar. Like the mighty Os Mutantes before them who rocket-launched Brazillian pop into extraterrestrial territories, Coconot, a trio that includes Pablo Díaz-Reixa (a.k.a. El Guincho), introduces tropicalia and calypso sounds to west coast psychedelia, kraut, dub, and a smorgasbord of other off-kilter genres. The result is fresh and fantastic.

Masterfully weaving lush, sample-based textures with traditional Latin soundscapes, Cosa Astral is smart and mercurial. Vocal yelps, interstellar melodies, cascading drums, and structures that collapse and rebuild set the stage for this carnivale of light. At only three minutes, the ornate “Miles de Ojos” summons a rather epic, brain-burning crescendo equal parts playfulness and intensity. “Tao” cultivates a colorful Caribbean flavor as-informed-by Spacemen 3 and Lee Scratch Perry.

Though heavily rooted in traditional Latin and Caribbean sounds, Cosa Astral would fit perfect in your collection between Panda Bear and High Places – due in part to Coconot’s relentless experimentation, but also in part because the indie rock world is beginning to celebrate rich international sounds.

OH, and hey, you can hear these songs and more on my radio show Technicolor Underground, which airs tonight on WXBH-LP. You can hear it in online stream form here, or on 92.7 FM if you’re in east Louisville.

- Kenny Bloggins

MP3 :::
Wavves – No Hope Kids
Wavves – Beach Goth
Coconot – Polen Muchacha!
Coconot – Tao
Coconot – Miles De Ojos