Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Bongzilla - Nuggets
BongzillaNuggets
Label: Barbarian Records
Barbarian records has coughed up some more purple haze-induced sludge muffins in the form of this expanded reissue of singles, splits and comp tracks from Madison’s ultra stoners. Expectantly titled tracks tickle and trickle stoner humor to the consumer.
• Bongzilla WikiFreighter - s/t
Freighters/t
Label: Self Released
A Madison trio that knows how to play with metal structures of the past while injecting a contemporary intensity to them. Progressive a-tonal riffs conjoined with plodding, pummeling or explosive beats while hoisting a flair for noisy experimental fringe offerings treated with harsh angst ridden vocals.
• Freighter WebsiteThose Poor Bastards - The Plague
Those Poor BastardsThe Plague
Label: Tribulation Recording Company
Unsettling gothic gospel altercations spun and thickened with a dark angst and a rustic atmosphere. Coarse vocals are set amidst a haunting cacophony of vintage instruments and cantankerous rhythms. Hank III approved!
• Those Poor Bastards WebsiteBeefus - Manpanzee
BeefusManpanzee
Label: Self Released
This Madison based hurdy-gurdy of frenzied bass and electric banjo funkified rock have evolved to produce clever, witty lyrics with a platitude of poignant samples. Favorable vocal and rhythmic comparisons to Primus are unavoidable.
• Beefus WebsitePeter Mathews - Far From Haggersville
Peter MathewsFar From Haggersville
Label: Trinema Meia
Award-winning, Madison-based film maker and musician brings us a soundtrack-type music and film CD with a real life puzzle to solve with actual gold coins as the potential payoff. Very intriguing concept!
• Peter Mathews WebsiteUnderculture - Underculture
UndercultureUnderculture
Label: Undercultured Records
From the crusty garage rock ‘n’ roll underbelly of Madison comes this punk-a-billy trio. They flippantly flaunt their scruffy, old-age flourishes while resting on pumped up beats and mental quagmires.
Gomers - Mike Zirkel
GomersMike Zirkel
Label: Beeftone
Beloved hometown Madison quirk-nauts spew forth a beguiling array of witty song spins. From utilizing every town in Wisconsin as lyrical fodder to showcasing such guest musicians as Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp, they delight and frolic in the asinine as well as the sublime.
• The Gomers Website • The Gomers Wiki8889 - Zoology
8889Zoology
Label: Self Released
Singer/songwriter styled alt/indie rock from Madison. This follow-up to their MAMA winning debut album finds a well-defined, well-thought through chunk of moody alt music. For my ear candy I prefer a bit more intensity and cleverness.
• 8889 Website- Drown Out The Daylights
Drown Out The Daylights
Label: Crustacean Records
Highlighting the cream of their musical crop, Crustacean Records (Wisconsin’s most prolific and longest lasting punk/indie label) provides us with a double DVD visual vanguard for 10 of their most amazing performers. Over 2 ½ hours long with tons of extras.
• WebsiteJudgehydrogen - Cult of Blood
JudgehydrogenCult of Blood
Label: Rising Oculus Records
Hair raising atmospheres gurgling with virulent doom struck metal. This macabre one man project, bred in Middleton, WI, produces primal disturbances in the creep-a-dellic frequency spectrum while profanely exercising a deep gothic vocal pleasure. Seriously dark.
• Judgehydrogen WebsiteNatty Nation - Reincarnation
Natty NationReincarnation
Label: iNatty Records
Madison reggae legends blast the Midwest with more of their infectiously buoyant rhythms and hip hoppin’ hybrid temptations. Lyrically mixing Jah philosophy with various related paths of mysticism allows for new spiritual perspectives for which their music may glide on.
• Natty Nation Website • Natty Nation Wiki- Theories of Tension
Theories of Tension
Label: Self Released
A many faceted award winning Madison based metal outfit that throws down some prog rock, math rock and extreme jazz compositions in an aspiring manner. Somehow the recording is loose/rough/thin in a few areas which diminishes the exuberant talent contained here.
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