Dizeazez Pleazez

Have you missed the show this semester?

2010-03-02T21:55:00.004-06:00

Well lucky for you, now you can download some of the shows you've missed!
Click to download:
2.6.10
2.27.10

Wanna see the playlists? Click 'em!
2.6.10
2.27.10

The return of Phonetik Epidemik tonight from 11 pm - midnight on 91.7 FM KVRX Austin and KVRX.ORG!

2010-01-23T13:29:00.001-06:00

Prepare for the triumphant return of Phonetik Epidemik tonight from 11 pm to midnight on 91.7 FM KVRX Austin and KVRX.ORG!

Click here for the Phonetik Epidemik playlist!

I'll be playing Polyrock, Pylon, The Telefones, Drug Mountain, Nervus Rex, X Ray Spex, Advertising Jingles, Comateens, Urban Verbs, and much much more!

XO DJ MEGZ

COMATEENS

POLYROCK

URBAN VERBS

Success!

2009-04-21T00:12:00.002-05:00

Daniel Francis Doyle's latest album "We Bet Our Money On You" is now #1 on the KVRX Topless 39 charts! Way to go, Dan.

phonetik epidemik 3/27

2009-03-27T01:27:00.001-06:00

Miss the show?
Get it here.
View the playlist.

p.s. SXSW pictures coming soon!

xoxo
megz

Phonetik Epidemik - Fri March 13

2009-03-13T01:20:00.001-06:00

Click here to listen,

View playlist here!

MINI REVIEW: Business Lady - Torture Footage

2009-01-30T03:54:00.003-06:00

Once I had the pleasure of watching Business Lady in a basement in Denton. I was 15 years old then, and what I experienced is almost beyond the descriptive power of words. Never before had I seen such elaborate costumes and face painting on band members, nor had I heard such dizzying rhythms. It was new and exciting to me, and ended up introducing me to the expanding world of bands coming out of California. Every instrument came together like a monster with hot breath, and it was then that I knew I wanted a band of my own, so that maybe someday I could confuse a few suburban kids in a pizza parlor basement on a weeknight. Business Lady disbanded and left the world with this album, a true testament to their greatness. I had a 7” somewhere that I bought that fateful night, but it wasn’t until the release of Torture Footage (post-breakup) that I realized I will never love another band the way I loved them. The drumming is enough to overwhelm anyone, the bass undulates in slides, and the integration of sax (try “Royal Dancing” track 5) proves genius…it is my FAVORITE USE OF SAXOPHONE IN A BAND EVER. PERIOD. The maniacal lyrics, the rapid bass and guitar riffs, the screeching and wailing sax, and that absolutely insane drumming…it all comes together perfectly. This is, without a doubt, my favorite album of 2008 and probably one of my favorite albums of all time.
Thank you, Business Lady.

Phonetik Epidemik

2009-01-30T02:09:00.001-06:00

View Playlist

Get the Show

MINI REVIEW: Six Finger Satellite - Half Control

2009-01-29T01:03:00.003-06:00

From their dance-y and abrasive debut, The Pigeon Is the Most Popular Bird (1993) to their most inverted and challenging album, Law of Ruins (1998), Six Finger Satellite were continually evolving and becoming a tighter song writing entity. Half Control, an album recorded back in 2001, remained unreleased for over half a decade. It does not pick up where the seedy hypnotism of Law of Ruins left off. Yet, for a band that has gone through so many lineup changes, and with an album that departs from the soundscapes of their last full-length, any 6FS fan could tell you that they have definitely maintained their unique style. Half Control has all the rhythm and repetition of a mid-90s Six Finger Satellite album, with extreme accessibility to boot. With confirmed reunion shows planned and even an Austin appearance (info tba, sometime around SXSW), perhaps the long interval between the recording and the release of the new album will prove to be an unintentional benefit that garners interest from old and new fans alike. Honestly, they’ve influenced about a bajillion rad bands, they’ve toured with Shellac, and their video for “Parlour Games” (Severe Exposure, 1995) was on an episode of Beavis and Butthead - and if all that doesn’t sell it, my work here must be done.

Upcoming Reviews

2009-01-27T13:44:00.002-06:00

Wednesday 1/28: Six Finger Satellite - "Half Control"
Thursday 1/29: Business Lady - "Torture Footage"
Friday 1/30: Edie Sedgwick - "Things Are Getting Sinister + Sinisterer."

tonight on kvrx

2009-01-22T21:37:00.002-06:00

TONIGHT
THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF PHONETIK EPIDEMIK
SPRING 2009 SEMESTER...EVERY FRIDAY MORNING
FROM 1 - 2 AM AFTER DEPLETED RESOURCE

The spring semester comes with a promise...
I, DJ Megz, your Phonetik Epidemik host, promise
to make this semester the most brutal and interesting
semester of shows that P.E. has ever known.

Not to mention entertaining and educational.

Tune in tonight from 1 - 2 AM
only on KVRX 91.7 FM Austin
and KVRX. ORG

Call in, request stuff, tell me what you like and don't like, read me a passage from your favorite book, or tell me a really interesting fact.

Never a dull moment.

xoxo
DJ Megz

kleenex/LiLiPUT video!!

2009-01-09T11:49:00.001-06:00

This week just got infinitely better.
Finally, a video is available from the greatest Swiss girl punk group of all time.

Feast your eyes and ears kleenex's "nice"
originally released in 1978:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY2nXUUvwg4

shameless self promotion

2009-01-08T20:49:00.001-06:00

"Decadent Sluts" by Eat Avery's Bones is now available on iTunes. Go buy it and make me smile.

Eat Avery's Bones on Myspace

Fight Bite #1!

2008-12-16T17:06:00.002-06:00

Dallas-based Fight Bite hit number one on the KVRX Topless 39 chart last week, and are still going strong!

You can go to kvrx.org and request their songs!

xoxo,
DJ Megz

Last Phonetik Epidemik of the semester!

2008-12-12T02:12:00.002-06:00

You know you gotta hear it, it was epic! The last one of the whole semester, and who knows where I'll be in January? Probably laying in a gutter somewhere, lonely and destitute...or something.

[download here]
[view playlist]

New Lip Service Blog

2008-12-08T14:12:00.005-06:00

I've been spending a little time (very little...I don't have internet anymore and finals have a monopoly on my time...) on the new and improved Lip Service blog! Lip Service is a gender & sexuality talk show that I co-host with some lovely ladies every Wednesday night from 9 - 9:30 pm on KVRX 91.7 FM, Austin and KVRX.ORG. We talk about issues, rad women, perceptions of feminism, and much much much more. Go check out this fledgling blog, download some of our past shows, and don't forget to listen to our last show of the semester this week!

Phonetik Epidemik

2008-12-05T02:52:00.003-06:00

Every Friday morning from 1 - 2 am I host Phonetik Epidemik. It airs on KVRX Austin. Now, I can actually archive my shows, so you have absolutely no excuse NOT to listen!

[download here]
[view playlist]

xoxo,
megzeazez

la p'tite gayole

2008-12-04T06:13:00.003-06:00

This is so rad, I can't even begin to express my excitement...

I really believe I was meant to see this video at this very moment in my life. Amazing!

TexFem does Lip Service!

2008-12-03T22:48:00.002-06:00

A few awesome things:
UT now has a feminist organization, TexFem! Although their meetings for this semester are over, you can still join their mailing list by emailing texfem@gmail.com! Let them know Meggie sent you.

Zoja, Emily, and I interviewed TexFem earlier tonight and you can download it by clicking here.
(Interview starts between 7-8 mins into the show)

Also, there will be a brand new Lip Service blog up sometime before Christmas. You will be able to listen to our shows and read up on what we have to say about gender & sexuality. We'll have fun posts, too, like "What we're digging" - a weekly segment on books, music, television, movies, and more that we find interesting. Yay blogs.

As for music reviews, I'll be all over it soon enough. Finals are upon us and for the most part I'm just trying to breathe. Hopefully we'll be seeing a Six Finger Satellite review and the long awaited Business Lady review up here within the next week.
+winter show list coming soon!

xoxo
megz

NEW 6FS ALBUM

2008-11-29T23:09:00.001-06:00

In the 90s, everyone from Bob Weston to Beavis and Butthead paid attention to Providence, Rhode Island's Six Finger Satellite. With their recent reformation, original members J. Ryan and Rick Pelletier have announced the release of "Half Control", an album recorded in 2001 on Load Records, which is now available for download from Thrill Jockey's fina music download store.

+++ Remember that Duchess Says album that recently came out? Track 5, "Rabies (Baby's Got the)" is a brilliant 6FS cover.

Yay.
Review coming soon.

xoxo,
megz

The Taint Song

2008-11-27T01:15:00.002-06:00

This song was two years in the making. The lyrics were composed by Ashley Miles and put to music, composed by Matt Burgess. Vocals by Matt Burgess and me. ENJOY!

[click here to download "The Taint Song"]

Happy Thanksgiving.

Ian Svenonius Artist Hour

2008-11-16T21:15:00.002-06:00

Originally aired on 91.7 KVRX Austin, 11/15/2008 10-11pm
Hosted by DJ Megz, $TRIMM$, and Daren.

download show: http://www.filedropper.com/artisthouriansvenonius
view playlist: http://kvrx.org/node/33662

SATURDAY NIGHT ON 91.7 KVRX AUSTIN

2008-11-12T20:13:00.003-06:00

flyer by matt b

TOTALLY RAD AND EXCITING! TUNE IN FROM 10 - 11 PM, 91.7 KVRX AUSTIN OR KVRX.ORG!!!!!

xoxo

dj megz

Thrill Jockey picks up Double Dagger

2008-11-10T15:09:00.001-06:00

More info over at Pitchfork.

Pretty cool, guys.

Fun x3

2008-11-10T02:25:00.011-06:00

Here's a few pics from Neil Hamburger and Tim & Eric. They're dusty as fuck.

Neil Hamburger

DJ Douggpound "In The Mix"

"I sit down when I pee."

Eric Wareheim

Great Job!

We Shot JR Records

2008-11-04T00:42:00.003-06:00

From We Shot JR.com...

"After almost three years of thinking, writing about and experiencing local music, we felt the time was ripe for us to get a little more directly involved in supporting some of our favorite local groups, and the idea of We Shot J.R. Records was born in that spirit. We wanted to create a small, locally based label that would showcase some of the music in the area that we feel should be heard elsewhere, and thanks to all the excellent new bands that have emerged around here over the past year, the task of assembling a quality roster was rather easy.We Shot J.R. Records will focus mainly, though not exclusively, on releasing the music of local artists via limited edition vinyl pressings, sort of a boutique label that will highlight what we believe to be some of the best the area has to offer..."

I'm pretty stoked about this. And I don't get "stoked" too often.
So far on the site there's a rad Fight Bite Swiss Ex Lover single, and coming soon The Darktown Strutters, and Orange Coax/Girlfren split. Keep checking We Shot JR for more info, and of course I'll be all over this.

love from the couch,
Meggie

Such a long week...

2008-10-16T13:11:00.006-05:00

Not much is getting done around here except homework. I've definitely fallen behind in my review writing, but patience is the key! Next week I'll be back on track with that Arab on Radar DVD review, a Business Lady album review, and anything I can snag from the station tomorrow afternoon.

For now, check this out:

KVRX Rainbow party! You've always wanted to dance your butt off in front of the tower! There's gonna be rad tunes and a step team! Have a great time, and remember that afterward you can catch Phonetik Epidemik on the way to your late night snack attack.

xoxo
Megz

Tobacco - Fucked Up Friends

2008-10-10T13:38:00.004-05:00

Tobacco
Fucked Up Friends
Genre: dance/electronic
Anticon 2008
Meggie H 10/10/2008

After thoroughly listening to this album, I’m a little ashamed that I’m not more familiar with Black Moth Super Rainbow. At any rate, Tobacco is a trip and a half into hot space age psychedelia. What’s so interesting about Fucked Up Friends is that it is completely analog – and it sounds exactly the way an electronic psychedelic album should sound. If you’re a fan of groovy bass and flute combining with 808 beats that make jams begging to be sampled, then this album is perfect for you. “Hairy Candy” (track 3) is the quintessential track of the album. It embodies all the potential, hot groove, and repetitive hip-hoppiness of Tobacco. “Street Trash” (track 1) is an especially upbeat start to what proves to be a sincerely chilled album. “Dirt” (track 9) features flows by Aesop Rock, and begins with lyrics “It’s my duty to inform you/ that Honey Bunches of Oats/ is the greatest cereal/ ever created by man” and you just can’t beat that shit! “Berries That Burn” (track 7) rocks intricately, and “Pink Goo” (track 15) proves to be a most mellow treat. I don’t think the kids at Urban Outfitters smoke enough dope to be into this yet, but hopefully we can enjoy Tobacco long enough before he blows up to ridiculously hip proportions.

Obscenities: none
Indecencies: 9
Recommended: 3!!!, 1, 7, 15, 10, 4, 9 (ind), 11, 5, 14, 12, 6
Note: Tracks 8 & 13 are like, less than 10 seconds long.

This week's reviews

2008-10-09T20:38:00.002-05:00

I'm completely swamped this week writing a paper and studying for a test so here's what will happen:

Arab on Radar Sunshine for Shady People DVD review will be pushed to Sunday October 12

Tobacco Fucked Up Friends album review will be available to read tomorrow as scheduled.

Hawnay Troof Islands of Ayle album review tbd

Keep checking for more!

xoxo
Megz

The Lines - Memory Span

2008-10-03T13:10:00.002-05:00

Artist: The Lines
Album: Memory Span
Genre: rock
Rotation: Heavy
Record Label: Acute Records
Review By: Meggie H.

The Lines' albums originally spanned the late '70s, early '80s. The release of ''Memory Span'' has something for everyone. Fans of Wire and Gang of Four will be excited to hear "Uneasy Affair" (track 6...easily my favorite song on the album), a punky stoner's grievance anthem, and "Notthrough Windows" (track 3). Halfway through the album the songs start getting longer, "Cool Snap" (track 11) is laid back, and "Nerve Pylon" (track 12) lacks the aggresion of the earlier tracks. "Over the Brow" (track 13) introduces the listeners a repetitive and trippier side of The Lines. Honestly, it's been difficult for me to stop listening to the first 10 songs of the album on repeat, but the later stuff is just as awesome, if not a bit more evolved.

RIYL: Wire, Gang of Four

Obscenities: none
Indecencies: none
Recommended: 6, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 4, 2, 10, 11, 18, 13, 12, 14, 16

AIDS Wolf - Cities of Glass

2008-10-01T11:04:00.002-05:00

AIDS Wolf
Cities of Glass
Genre: Rock/punk
Skin Graft 2008
rotation: HEAVY

reviewed by Meggie H 10/1/08

Altogether, I'd have to say AIDS Wolf create some of the most violent riffs I've ever heard. Each song on Cities of Glass seethes with dirty energy, akin to a sickly mixture of Coughs and Arab on Radar. Vocals like shards cut through rhythmic mayhem created by the gutiars/drums. "CH-CH-CH-Chatter" (track 4) and "Gnarly Tooth" (track 6) are perfect examples of the way Cities of Glass functions on the same level as The Lovvers EP, there's a discernable -something- about the songs, not quite the conventional melody. Yet, together the songs create this album, which when considered as a whole instead of in parts, feels different than AIDS Wolf's previous releases; Cities of Glass comes across as somehow darker, a level above brutal. Personally, I'd recommend that you take the album like a pill, swallow it all at once with some water.

Obscenities: none heard
Indecencies: none heard
Recommended: 6, 3, 4, 7, 2, 1, 10, 5, 8, 9

RIYL: PRE, Arab on Radar

This week's reviews

2008-09-30T00:17:00.002-05:00

I've been slacking badly all month, so this week here's what we'll finally be seeing on the blog:
Oct. 2: AIDS Wolf - Cities of Glass album review
Oct. 3: The Lines - Memory Span album review

Next Week:
Oct. 7: Arab on Radar - Sunshine for Shady People DVD review
Oct. 10: Tobacco - Fucked Up Friends album review
Oct 10: Hawnay Troof - Islands of Ayle album review

Eventually (these are super special ones I've been meaning to do forever):
Whirlwind Heat - Scoop Du Jour/self-titled album review
Business Lady - Torture Footage album review

mini-review #1: SUPERJAIL!

2008-09-29T15:33:00.001-05:00

Last night Adult Swim premiered its new animated series by Augenblick Studios (known for their work with the animation on Wonder Showzen). If you weren't around for the pilot episode, which aired back in May of '07, there's nothing to fear - you cannot expect to prepare yourself for the twisted violence of this impossibly whimsical trip.

Stella star David Wain voices the Warden, the eccentric skinny man in charge of superjail. The Warden finds himself in all sorts of situations while lusting after Alice, an ubermasculine prison guard with big boobs.

Obviously I recommend that you tune in Sundays at 10:45 to check out this wild experience of a show.

SUPERJAIL!

2008-09-28T23:09:00.002-05:00

It is worth mentioning that the premier of Superjail as a series on Adult Swim is possibly one of the coolest things that could ever happen. Probably.

AIDS Wolf - Cities of Glass

2008-09-19T13:59:00.003-05:00

AIDS Wolf
Cities of Glass
Genre: Rock/punk
Skin Graft 2008
reviewed by Meggie Hilkert 9/19/08

[this review is being revised! sorry, check back soon]

Obscenities: none heard
Indecencies: none heard
Recommended: 6, 3, 4, 7, 2, 1, 10, 5, 8, 9

RIYL: PRE, Arab on Radar

Adventure - Adventure

2008-09-12T13:27:00.000-05:00

Artist: Adventure
Album: Adventure
Genre: electronic
Rotation: Heavy
Record Label: Carpark Records 2008
Review By: Meggie H.

Even if you don’t like to play video games, the music sure does get stuck in your head sometimes. Adventure is a dude from Baltimore and I have the feeling he really likes video games, because he’s brilliant when it comes to writing some video game tunes. The man (Benny Boeldt is his name) has to be a human emulator. It’s nearly brilliant how he captures the spirit of old school RPGs in his music. He has the levels down. The last three songs sound like epic boss levels, but nothing captures that racing game spirit like “Wild Wild Ride” (track 8). I tried to drive to this music, and I’d advise against anyone else doing the same…in the real world there are no banana peels or shells to save your ass. Overall, I could get down and nerdy and party to this album. ADVENTURE!!

Obscenities: none
Indecencies: none
Recommended: 10, 8, 1, 3, 5, 6, 2

These Are Powers - Taro Tarot

2008-09-12T13:25:00.002-05:00

Artist: These Are Powers
Album: Taro Tarot
Genre: Rock/punk
Rotation: Heavy
Record Label: HOSS Records 2008
Review By: Meggie H.

Self-proclaimed “ghost-punks” These Are Powers return with another brutal album. Unlike their breakthrough record Terrific Seasons, there aren’t any songs on Taro Tarot over 20 minutes long. Depending on your point of view, that could be either a good or bad thing. Yet there’s no denying that These Are Powers deliver a fresh punch in the face to scenesters everywhere. Each song grinds out squealing and creaking rhythms that haunt ears and fry brains! Don’t believe it? Give “Chipping Ice” (track 2) and “Twin Remains” (track 6) a spin. However, you have to take Taro Tarot in little pieces before you can fully appreciate it. It’s like putting birthday cake in front of the fat kid, he just can’t get enough but too much at once is hard to swallow.

Obscenities: none heard
Indecencies: none heard
Recommended: 2, 6, 5, 3, 1

HEY!

2008-07-24T23:37:00.001-05:00

SHOWS RULE!
as much as ex-boyfriends suck!

TOMORROW NIGHT
FRIDAY, JULY 25
EMO'S AUSTIN (inside stage)

HEALTH
DANIEL FRANCIS DOYLE
NOUNS GROUP
TRANSMOGRAPHY

GET CR00SH ITS GONNA RULE!

dead week

2008-04-29T00:19:00.005-05:00

Preparing for finals is stressful, so I'm resorting to minimal internet activity for the next week + a few days. When I come back you'll get something. I can't promise much since summer is upon us, but you'll get something.

In the meantime, you can always listen to my radio show, Phonetik Epidemik, from 3 - 5 am on Tuesday mornings. (What do you know? That's only 2 hours and 21 minutes away!)

Tune in at kvrx.org, or if you're in the Austin area set the dial to 91.7 FM!

xoxo
Megzeazez

p.s. Tim and Eric awesome tour at the Parish on Wednesday, I'll definitely be posting some pictures/possibly a review. Sorry folks, this is a sold out show!

New Bloods - The Secret Life

2008-04-17T23:46:00.002-05:00

New Bloods
The Secret Life
Genre: rock
rotation: heavy
Kill Rock Stars
Meggie H
4/17/2008

New Bloods have created a very relaxed, droning album that comes across as intriguing. They use the power of storytelling along with repetitive riffs and urgent violin to craft their sound. I wasn’t surprised when I found out that they use poems and stories as the lyrics to some of their songs. “No. 17” (track 9) is the best song on The Secret Life, followed closely by “Eyes”
(track 6). These two songs are more upbeat and dancey than the other songs on the album. “Day After Day” (track 7) is a 40-second a-cappella song, very beautiful; “Tree” (track 4) is actually a story written by the drummer, Adee, and put to music. I remember seeing New Bloods perform “The Cycle Song” (track 8) live and it was a wonderful performance. The Secret Life is promising and interesting, I’m curious to see how their next album comes out.

Obscenities/Indecencies: none
Recommended: # 9, 6, 8, 5, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11

KVRX Pledge drive Benefit Show!!!

2008-04-17T19:25:00.003-05:00

I'll be taking donations at the door from 6pm - 10pm, then I'll be rocking out to Ghosthustler and Cry Blood Apache! If you're in Austin tomorrow night I highly recommend this show! (I also highly recommend donating to KVRX, you know you love it!)

seeing HEALTH is a religious experience

2008-04-14T01:44:00.002-05:00

The 12th or so time I saw Health (which happens to have been this evening) was pure magic. Solid pleasure, if you will. Without a doubt, they are the only band that feels like new every time I see them. The two greatest times I have seen HEALTH have been in the past month, and they keep getting better. I listen to their album at least three times a week. Having said that, I declare this: seeing HEALTH perform live is a religious experience to me. The energy they exert onstage combined with the brutal nature of their songs surpasses some of the greatest live shows I've witnessed in my short lifetime (and for only being 19, I've seen a hell of a lot of shows). Mostly, I hope that some day when their next album comes out it will be as epic as their recent one. Their new songs completely blow me away. It's not dark sound they create, it's dark matter and pure energy. To those of you who have never seen HEALTH - watch out. You need to know what you're getting yourselves into. It's as addictive as meth, maybe more so.

I propose this: if I happen to see these happening dudes again...which is almost certain...I may just go off the deep end and call them one of my favorite bands of all time.

That's all.

p.s. New Bloods review has been postponed due to tests and shows...it's coming this week though.

PERV-ALERT!

2008-04-08T15:35:00.003-05:00

SRSLY!
This morning on Phonetik Epidemik I got a total pervert caller. He called like 4 times. At first he was requesting songs and then he started getting personal. Then, a little too personal. Dude, seriously. There's nothing hot about me in a dj booth at 3 am eating a granola bar and farting. When it got to that point, after being perfectly clear that he was getting on my nerves by calling repeatedly, I asked him to stop, but not before he asked me if I wantedf to have dj phone sex with him. NO FUCKING WAAAYYY DUDE! I responded by saying, "Dude, It's like 4:30 am, I'm trying to do my job and I'm pretty fucking tired. Call another station or something."

Ah, the wonders of late night djing.

-also-

No battle of the random dj bands on Sunday, but the EAB show is still going on Saturday at Strawberry Fields, and of course HEALTH and DFD on Sunday night in Austin.

It's a blog eat blog world...

2008-04-06T22:40:00.003-05:00

Harharhar.
This week is completely nuts, but look forward to this: I'll be reviewing the New Bloods' album "The Secret Life", to be posted sometime around Thursday or Friday, be on the lookout.

-Also-

2 tests this week, tomorrow Geology and Thursday Mythology. Crazy cramming going down. Thursday night I'll be going to see The Kids In The Hall live at the Paramount theatre, so that's something awesome to think about. Saturday Eat Avery's Bones are playing a show at Strawberry Fields with Nouns Group, Fight Bite, Last Men, Kaboom and Geistheistler. Sunday is the KVRX battle of the random bands at ranchO relaxO. My random band has failed to practice but once, and we are still going to fucking rule (because how can you go wrong with 2 basses, that's solid pleasure dude!). Sunday night get ready to see // HEALTH // with Austin's nicest guy, Daniel Francis Doyle, and Yellow Fever.

Busy week dudes!

Some older reviews for your solid pleasure....

2008-04-03T12:12:00.004-06:00

Mahjongg
Kontpab
Genre: electronic
K records
rotation: heavy!
Meggie H., 3/27/2008

I was nearly positive that Mahjongg had no chance of topping theirRaydoncong 2005 album, that’s how much it kicked ass. However, their newest release Kontpab is giving their last full-length a run for its money. With tracks like “Problems” (track 2) the world could have an international holiday, declare it epic dance party day and we will seriously get down. Pitchfork (who I continue to mention in reviews as a source of reference/debate) call the mid/last half of the album “stiff” and I may have to agree with them on this call. Yet, you can definitely find some gems in “Tell the Police the Truth”(track 4) and “Those Birds are Bats” (track 5). Try the first track“Pontiac” if you’re in a weird Black Dice-y kind of mood. This album is, overall, pretty damn sexy.

Obscenities/Indecencies: none
Recommended: # 2!, 5, 4, 3, 1, 9, 8

Amandine
Solace In Sore Hands
Genre: pop/rock
Fat Cat records
rotation: heavy
Meggie H., 3/21/2008

Although given the cold shoulder by big-wigs at Pitchfork, the sophmore album from Swedish band Amandine has taken their melancholy sound and focused it with stunning lyrics and melodies thatcan be played on repeat tirelessly. The new album seems to have something that their debut, This is Where Our Hearts Collide, doesn’t – not that it’s a lacking debut by any means, but the new album has a defined purpose of taking out hearts and smearing them all over listeners’ sleeves. Take for instance the second track, “Chores of the Heart” – which, by the first lyric may have you gasping. They are self-proclaimed “sensible Swedish indie pop”. More so than sensible, they are sensational, using music to appeal to your innermost heart wrenching emotions!

Obscenities/Indecencies: none
Recommended: # 3, 2, 5, 6, all the rest!

These Are Powers
Terrific Seasons
Genre: Rock dudeee
Hoss Records 2007
rotation: heavy!!
Meggie H., 2/21/2008

These Are Powers call themselves “ghost-punk”. The jumpy riffs and vocals are quite outstanding, yet nothing extremely new to the world of experimental rock (probably nothing that requires a brand new genre). Does it sound kind of like We Were Wrong-era Liars to you? If so, it’s because there’s actually an ex-member of Liars in the band…but hey, I’m not saying that’s bad. Great minds think alike, after all. I could listen to this album for days on end, just loving each awkward track. Particularly rocking are track 3, “Cracks In The Lifeline”, and track 4, “Shells For a Dead Chief” which aren’t as subdued as the first 2. And are you ready for this: a 20-minute brainfucker awaits you late-night DJs!! It might even keep you awake (because it totally rulezzz)!

Obscenities/Indecencies: none
Recommended: # 4, 5, 3, 7 [it’s 20 minutes long, but it is pretty sweet], 2, 1

School of Language
Rockist single
Genre: Rock/Pop
Thrill Jockey Records 2008
rotation: medium
Meggie H., 2/23/2008

You don’t always have to be wacky or whimsical or extremely out in space to make good pop music. It’s true! Rockist Single (track 1) is one majorly catchy and fun work of pop. It’s upbeat and good in an original sorta way. School of Language are akin to Sondre Lerche, so if you’re into that dude you may like this. I don’t even like Sondre Lerche that much, and School of Language are still pretty great. The b-side is a wonderful Roxy Music cover. An A+ of a cover, as a matter of fact! Very charming and exaggerated. Can’t wait to hear more from these dudes? Their tour dates are listed on the inside of the cd case, and they have a myspace.

Obscenities: none
Indecencies: none
Recommended: #1, 2

Dana Falconberry(TX)
Love Will Never Leave You Alone
Genre: Rock/Pop
Reluctant Records 2008
rotation: heavy
Meggie H., 2/15/2008

As the single for Dana Falconberry’s upcoming album Oh Skies Of Grey, “Love Will Never Leave You Alone” is an ambitious and promising teaser. Dana’s irresistible blend of folk-songwriter and jazzy pop shines through in an upbeat song with a reinforced message. The second track, “Nightingale”, proves equally impressive as a sad and beautiful lullaby with lovely somber harmonies. Overall the single and b-side show Dana’s ability to morph her musical persona while still working inside her own sphere of unique talent. She is by far the seminal up-and-coming singer-songwriter to watch out for in Central Texas.

Obscenities: none
Indecencies: none
Recommended: #1, 2

PRE
Epic Fits
Genre: Rock
Skin Graft Records
rotation: HEAVYYYYYY
Meggie H., 2/1/2008

One word could describe this album for me: AWESOME. Or fucking sweet. But I’ll elaborate: PRE ingeniously blend sounds of Arab onRadar, AIDS Wolf, and Melt Banana with their own special melodies (AND RIDICULOUSLY RAD BASS LINES!!!!) to create what I’d like to call musigasm (every time I listen to this album I have an orgasm! Wuahaha). The recording quality is righteous and a better label couldn’t have picked them up. Epic Fits opens with “Drool”, a squeaky up-beat answer to my prayers for a fun-filled noisy rock album. Unlike their French-Canadian friends AIDS Wolf, PRE have songs that actually last for (sometimes) up to four minutes, such as “Scenes From a 1963 Love-In” (track 3) and they have discernable melodies!!!!I’m telling you, this album really is epic, and definitely worth a listen!

Obscenities: #6-sluts? I dunno…just don’t play it. It’s shady.
Indecencies: #3-piss, #5-cock, and a few of the titles of the songs are either indecent or obscene, without being indecent or obscene in the actual music.
Recommended: # 1, 3(IND), 11, 9, 12, 7, 8, 13, 10

Shock Cinema
Our Way Is Revenge
Genre: Rock
Kanine Records
rotation: heavy
Meggie H., 1/19/2008

Shock Cinema successfully blends punky guitar crunch with dance beats to create an awesome sound explosion. Tracks like “Death in Texas” (track 6) and “Art of Noir” (track 2) showcase this band’s ability to rock and make their listeners want to move and groove. “Howling Door” (track 4) is the slower track on the album, and it is (to say the least) extremely sexy, especially since it is in French. The remixes of “Howling Door” (track 7) and “Art of Noir” (track 8) are equally as listenable as the original tracks, although a little more electronic, and even dancier (which is by no means a bad thing!).

Obscenities: none – all clean
Indecencies: none – all clean
Recommended: #6, 2, 1, 8

Double Dagger - Ragged Rubble

2008-04-02T22:51:00.002-06:00

Double Dagger
Ragged Rubble
Genre: rock
rotation: heavy
Stationary Heart records
Meggie H., 4/2/2008

Double Dagger call Baltimore home. Unlike their Wham City buddies Dan Deacon and Videohippos, Double Dagger have a sound that combines a punkier Die Monitr Batss with a more passive version of The Mall. Their lineup is simple, having only three members, but they provide everything required of an awesome band – great riffs, drums to kill, and aggressive lyrics. “Luxury Condos For the Poor” (track 3) cements their place as radical song writers, and “Empty Dictionary” (track 2) proves that they have an ability to utilize their less-than-cryptic lyrics in an original and intriguing manner. For something brattier try your luck with “Form + Function” (track 4, ind.)

Obscenities: none
Indecencies: 4 – fucking, shit ; 5 – shit; 7 – shit ; 8 – piss, fuck ; 12 - shit
Recommended: # 3, 2, 1, [7], 6

record reviews

2008-04-02T22:49:00.001-06:00

I've decided to start posting my shitty record reviews on here. Not that it matters, eh?

I write these reviews for my station, so they're short and sweet. Sometimes ridiculous. Enjoy.

holy cowz!

2008-04-01T12:17:00.003-06:00

I'm not very good at keeping up with things, am I?

Here's some bands I've been digging:

Double Dagger
Videohippos
Apes (I love them wonggg time!)
PRE
Crystal Castles
AIDS Wolf

Here's my band Eat Avery's Bones...
and Daniel Francis Doyle of Austin fame.

Listen to my radio show, Phonetik Epidemik, on 91.7 KVRX Austin on Tuesday mornings from 3-5am or if you aren't in the area tune in at KVRX.org!