I've mentioned previously that I have a growing fondness for the Egg Punk genre. Microgenres can be a bit silly but there's something very refreshing about the combination of lo-fi production, high energy songs and fun lyrical delivery. This whole record from Steröid entitled Chainmail Commandos captures all those vibes quite nicely. This review summarizes it nicely:
As if the NEW YORK DOLLS, DIO, and PAT BENATAR started writing music inspired by the soundtrack and ran their vocals through an Alvin and the Chipmunks filter.
A smattering of various music I've encountered lately that may be appealing to you. I'm betting on it.
Froghat - Wave Files! A free surfy mix tape from Froghat!
This five song release is less of a formal offering and more of a sampler to introduce you to the freewheeling, good time, vibes of Froghat. The project is the pseudonym of Nicholas Clark, aka Minnowland, a musician, animator and all around enjoyably creative guy living in Chicago. The man has multiple monikers! And the surf music is a delight. Straight into regular rotation for me.
Power Pants - PP7
Truth be told, I know very little about this Winchester, Virginia band but three things caught me immediately. First, they self-identify as Egg Punk - which we have previously established I'm a fan of. Second, they have priced this release so that the cassette is $9 and the digital is $100 - giving a healthy nudge towards buying that tape. Respect. Lastly, and most importantly, the record is a high energy blast of memorably lo-fi song bursts. The longest song is 2 minutes flat and each one is enjoyable start to finish.
Crave On - Fantasy Hall
There's something about Crave On that calls to me in a deep seated way. It is difficult to articulate but Patrick Orr's languid vocals combined with the surprising arrangements of each song feel like they've emerged from another time and place - possibly a more Metropolitan past. Like I said, articulation on the appeal eludes me but I'm transfixed by it.
They're a Nashville band and fall into the category that so many artists in Nashville do - they deserve a wider audience. I'm sure that's true of any city with a talent pool but I can easily hear Crave On opening for Wilco or playing to a transfixed audience at the Newport Folk Festival. I hope that happens for them but, in the meantime, I'll just do my best to spread the gospel.
I've been listening to Blinker the Star since 1999's August Everywhere - a beautiful record that I stand behind twenty-five years later. I've dug into Jordan Z's back catalog and kept up with all of his releases over the last two decades. There have been some ups and downs (as with any band), but this latest release, Occult Classic, is really hitting the spot. Maybe it's me, maybe it's them, maybe it's a combo. Regardless - give it a whirl.
Much to my own surprise, I've become a real fan of the Egg punk genre. It's lo-fi, it's punk-y and it's definitely fun. I also love that it emerged from a prior genre called Devo-core. Anyway, the latest example of enjoyment is this split from two Australian bands - Midgee & Electric Prawns 2. Very into the whole thing.
There's only one song available from Bursting but it is damn good. This tiny paragraph description was more than enough to pique my interest:
BURSTING is a Chicago band reminiscent of late 90’s post-hardcore (ie Jawbox, No Knife, Drive like Jehu, Shiner) feat. Members of Thou, Yautja, Stress Positions, Coliseum and Ands. Their debut tape “Bursting EP” is out Dec. 6th on No Sabes.
You mention No Knife and I'm interested. The first song definitely delivers big time.
Found myself listening to "Egg Punk" a lot recently. I'm not really even sure that definitely linked in that article is accurate. As far as I can tell it's kind of a mix of Devo, Dead Milkmen, a bit of hardcore and a dash of lo-fi drum machines and production. It's sort of a "you'll know it when you hear it" scenario for me at this point.
This Wesley and the Punks album seems to hit the spot. Tho, I'm honestly not sure if it's "Egg Punk" or an even more niche thing called "Internet Punk," as the title suggests. Who knows and who cares! I like it! I also recommend Prison Affair and their split with Snooper.
