Tag Archives: Relapse Records

Music, Pop Culture

Video Clip of The Week: ASG, “Execution Thirst”

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Do you like to Rock? I sure do. And while I often try to provide you with a gentler segue into consciousness to make up for all of the intense Saturday night partying that you are (hopefully) doing, this being the Sunday of a leisurely long Holiday weekend, I figured you’ve  slept-in and can handle a little headbanging this morning, or this afternoon, whichever time it is for you. You’re welcome.

This week’s Sunday Jam comes to this space from North Carolina riff-rockers ASG, who share the official video for their song “Execution Thirst.” To me, ASG sound like Perry Farrell fronting Turbo Negro. If that sounds exciting to you, it should. It seems that fans of music that rocks hard enough to crack a skull have been gradually desensitized by longterm exposure to the relentless shitty lameness of some modern music that would attempt to slip in under the Hard Rock mantel, but don’t be fooled: ASG is, as they say, the Real Deal. We’re talking thunderous, propulsive drumming and riffs that would make Lemmy smile down from heaven. Visually, the clip is and artfully-directed black and white montage of tour footage that cuts between the band performing onstage is front a crown that really gets is, and images of a dessert landscape. The entire clip clocks in at just under three minutes. Excellent.

“Execution Thirst” can be found on ASG‘s sixth full-length release (and their first new album in five years!), Survive Sunrise, which is due out on June 8th, 2018 via Relapse Records. You can order it now at This Link! Enjoy!

ASG Album Art

Arts and Culture

Video Clip of The Week: Publicist UK, “Away”

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I find that, more often than seems to make sense, a very melancholy, gloom-tinged song can also be simultaneously uplifting. Maybe that only works if you are already a happy person at your core. I don’t pretend to have any answers regarding such philosophical matters; I speak only for myself. This week’s Video Clip — which is called “Away” by an American band called Publicist UK — fully embraces a super dark and foreboding vibe, and yet it also feels exhilarating: kind of what you might experience if you sensed the unavoidable approach of a bad break up with a person you loved, and yet knew in your heart was a total asshole. Because, with the pain there would also come an overwhelming sense of relief that could not be denied. Now that is a situation I can definitely speak directly to. But we are not talking about me.

On “Away”, vocalist Zachary Lipez explores what might happen if Scott Walker listened to Lloyd Cole’s “Perfect Skin” about a hundred million billion times and then decided to cover a lost Bauhaus song. Yes, it is that great. The song shifts aurally from tranquil to super heavy around the 3-minute mark without ever losing focus on the melody, while finely-nuanced drumming by Dave Witte (who also drums for Burnt By The Sun) serves the song while showcasing his exceptional percussive talents. Win win!

Visually, the clip opts for impressionism over realism, transitioning between grainy, black and white stills, stop motion, and action snippets, interspersing a fun recurring op-art effect of rapidly pulsating concentric red and black targets, all of which create dynamic visual engagement. I like it.

“Away” comes from Publicist UK’s debut album, Forgive Yourself, which you can digitally pre-order right now via Bandcamp and physically own on or after its release date of August 21st. Relapse Records is handling distribution. Enjoy!

Publicist UK Band Photo
Publicist UK Band Photo By Scott Colby

Music, Pop Culture

Rad CD of The Week: Chris Connelly’s Artificial Madness

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In contrast to the ethereal, romantic, midnight cabaret vibe of Blonde Exodus, my favorite album by Scottish expat Chris Connelly, Artificial Madness, the latest from the ex-Ministry/RevCo vocalist is fierce, briskly paced and vibrant with frenetic energy. Oh Chris, why did you stay away so long?

While the undeniable bombast of Connelly’s impressive musical pedigree is in full evidence over the course of these eleven tracks, he’s also imbued these tunes with the essence of eighties-era bands that, in effect, carried the torch for all that came along in the nineties. “Wait for Amateur” would sound right at home book-ended by “Terror Couple Kill Colonel” and “Dark Entries” on a Best-of Bauhaus album and “The Modern Swine” resembles an aural bow to Howard Devoto’s Magazine, whether intentional or otherwise. As always, Connelly’s sublime Bowie-esque croon takes even Peter Murphy’s embodiment of the Thin White Duke past the realm of homage and into the arena of a vocalist whose imprint is arguable matched only by Bryan Ferry among those currently recording. If you enjoy music with a serious pulse, there is no reason not to add Artificial Madness to your collection.

Chicago-area fans can catch the Artificial Madness record release show on Friday November 18, 2011 at The Hideout. For this show, Chris will be joined by the those who backed him on the album including producer Sanford Parker (Minsk, Nachtmystium), Noah Leger (The Karl Hendricks Trio, The(e) Speaking Canaries, Head of Skulls), Will Lindsay (Indian, Nachtmystium, Wolves in Throne Room), and Dallas Thomas (The Swan King, Circle of Animals, Asschapel).

Malevolent, beautiful, creepy and compelling all at once, Artificial Madness, out on Relapse Records on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, is one of my favorite releases of the year.

Grade: A