Many folks have abandoned myspace, but Fenriz of Darkthrone still uses it to highlight his favorite underground acts with his "Band of the Week" feature and now, after doing it continually for a long while, it's led to some bigger/better things besides just hipping many folks to lots of great music (myself included). First up, there will be a "Live Evil Fest" happening in Camden, UK in late October featuring a number of previous "Band of the Week" recipients including Obliteration and Sonic Ritual, two IAT favorites. Go here for more on that: http://www.myspace.com/liveevilfestival
Secondly, both Nocturno Culto and Fenriz will be co-editing the March issue of Terrorizer where they will be running features and interviews on many other bands they dig. Should be great for anyone into true underground metal + punk, so yeah, keep an eye out!
Swedish label made a mix for Fluid Radio featuring various cuts from their catalogue (Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words, Jasper TX, etc.), a few upcoming things (such as Neghantil) and also a selection of other artists they like (Coil, Psychic TV): http://www.fluid-radio.co.uk/2010/02/fang-bomb-iso-sequence-2/
There will be a special Norwegian music series at this year's Portland (Oregon) Jazz Fest: http://pdxjazz.com/blog/?p=2827
Artists featured include ECM acts Frode Haltli and The Christian Wallumrod Ensemble plus the fantastic trio In The Country.
Norwegian rockers Bloodlights are now streaming samples at their website from their upcoming album "Simple pleasures": http://www.bloodlights.com/
The official release date is March 1 for Europe, February 28 for Germany.
Toby Vail wrote a great essay on what it means to be an aging punk in the new issue of "Nuts!", our local zine, a subject never too far from my mind as the age of my show-going peers gets progressively further away from my own. "I am happy to be alive here in Olympia which is still a thriving punk scene largely unconcerned with trends, careerism and marketability. I just hope the next generation of punks take it seriously. Because what we do can make a difference. We have the power to change things and our actions are connected to history and impact the future. Hopefully you won't all move to Portland or Brooklyn or whatever when your own punk rock mid like crisis at 20 or 25 or 30 or 35... because this is a cool town and it'd be rad if some of you stick around." Those words resonate with me; I was jaded in my early 20s, but I turned it around and turned my back on the city, on the pose, on false aspirations and all the other things that don't matter. It's a bit part of why I live where I do today. And that's why when I come across bands that share those same ideals, it gets my attention. This is the dark side of the same coin: "Drugged SS takes no part of the already established positive hardcore scene in the big cities... Drugged SS are from Setesdal and are going to stay in Setesdal." I can relate to that. I can also relate to the raw, ugly sounds they're making because while in many ways I am getting mellower as I get older, I am not getting complacent. Dark times, dark music.
Drugged SS are a new signing to , the label run by the folks behind Okkultokrati and Haust. They are also the first band they've signed from outside their extended band family. A 6-song demo tape is in the works and will be out soon.
Swedish indiepop/electro act Don Agbai are streaming a new track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/donagbai
The group is also looking for a new label now that is no longer around, so interested parties should get in touch.
Avi | Fri, Feb 5th, 2010 17:36:02