Tag: compilation

There’s Cake – 12th August 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Security kills me
Anxiety keeps me alive
The paranoid and prudent
Get to survive

I don’t want to be happy
I don’t want to want
I don’t deserve it
There must be more
More than survival

A life without pain
Would often be short
Our wealth is unhealthy
But we’re mostly bought

Found in abundance
At a temporary table
Making me so fat
And mentally unstable

I don’t want to feel good
I don’t want to want
But I want to be good
My biology
Keeps eating my cake

Denton, Texas befuddlers Flesh Narc pile together the nicest grapes they could find, herein compiled from the first song they wrote in 2013 to the band’s first tour in summer 2017. Witness the genre whiplash that Flesh Narc is capable of from their beginnings as a slacker post-punk power trio to their descent into electronic abstraction and back to a retightened, haywire rock band. A comprehensive review of Flesh Narc’s early years, off-the-wall lyrical content and confused music guaranteed.

tracks 1-4 recorded October-November 2014 by Michael Briggs
tracks 5-7 recorded October, December 2015 by Michael Briggs
tracks 8-10 recorded June-July 2016 by Michael Briggs
tracks 11-13 recorded October, December 2015-February 2016 by Sinevil
track 14 recorded live February 10th 2017 at Cleemus & Ploumplesti’s, Denton
tracks 15-18 recorded May-June 2017 by Justin Lemons
track 19 recorded live August 4th 2017 at Archer Ballroom, Chicago by Steve Gassen

1-4: Optical Intrusion (January 2015)
5,6: Slow Deep and Narc (March 2016)
7: Narc That! (June 2016)
8,9: TS/FN ❤ (split with Thin Skin) (November 2016)
10: Dinner’s Served (Thanksgiving 2016)
11-13: Eyes on the Fabric (Narc Infinitives) (February 2017)
14: Hailey’s Fan Club (July 2017)
15-18: Frisky/Gardens (July 2017)
19: Split with Slackbeat (March 2018)

Flesh Narc is Matt Burgess, Rick Eye and Reece McLean.

In early 2013, Rick joined Reece’s project Bukkake Moms and they formed the freewheeling collective Problem Dogg. In the midst of that chaos, Matt’s long-time band Eat Avery’s Bones began playing shows more regularly, and it wasn’t long before Matt became involved in the Problem Dogg consortium. Matt, Reece and Rick practiced for the first time together in November 2013 and wrote their first song, “Jack Off Cubes”. 8 more songs were written but they got distracted by mineral trading drama and decided to stop practicing for 5 months. Upon remembering they were a band, they quickly recorded their 9 unrehearsed songs and made up about 9 more on the spot, some of which were better. Their first album “Optical Intrusion” and companion EP “Narc It!” were released in early 2015 and the first live shows followed. Human microphone stands were utilized and instrument switches were abundant and time-consuming.

Improvised electronics slowly crept in, eventually usurping the live set for a brief part of 2016. A 2nd album “Slow Deep and Narc” with companion EP “Narc That!” followed and not long after a split cassette with Thin Skin.

The band’s slacker rock sound was running its course, and the radical left-turn electronic album “Eyes on the Fabric (Narc Infinitives)” was still held up in post-production. Thankfully, refreshment was found through the joining of Beth Dodds from Bukkake Moms on drums and occasional guitar/bass/keyboards in January 2017. The band gained a new intensity and confusion factor. “Eyes on the Fabric (Narc Infinitives)” finally released in February 2017, featuring stark electronics and free-associating vocals lost in the dark. The new 4-piece Flesh Narc prepared for a summer tour with Thin Skin and produced “Frisky/Gardens”, originally a demo, but later canonized by default. “Hailey’s Fan Club”, a live album of electronic material that verges on comedy, also made its way to tape in time for the tour.

Flesh Narc’s performance in Chicago at Archer Ballroom (later released as a split with Slackbeat in 2018) showed the band in a demented form on the home stretch of tour. In the Loop Magazine reviewed the show calling Flesh Narc, “noise going nowhere” and urged readers to “leave immediately” upon encountering the band (beintheloopchicago.com?p=20995).

In the immediate wake of the tour, the 4-piece line-up of Flesh Narc dissolved. The band’s next album, intended to be called “Grapes” (consisting of rerecorded “Frisky/Gardens” songs and new material), was scrapped before recording. The band reverted back into a trio again and replaced drums with manually-tapped drum machine and tapes.

And what happens after that is for another compilation another time.

From 2017 to the present day, things in the land of Flesh Narc have grown very complex, with numerous releases of varying styles with new collaborators. As a quick primer, and to fulfil the unrealized dream of the “Grapes” album, this compilation of Flesh Narc’s early years should suffice.

Today I’m feeling:

Slooow to go! I had a weed gummy last night which I thought didn’t really have much effect beyond focusing concentration on playing guitar. And trying to fix the Canna butter bottle that broke, I had a drop or less of that which seemed to get me thinking sideways for the rest of the evening that rapidly disappeared. I had deeply thought-provoking dreams that felt quite negative in that they reminded me of my age and my place in the world. I woke up a little shook. I feel pretty damn relaxed now though. The heat and rain have gone for a while and it’s nice enough to sit outside again with a soft breeze stirring. I’ve been out here for an hour already. 

Today I’m grateful for:

Bruno picking me up at the Nissan dealer in the afternoon. We went up to Ahka Cottage for coffee whilst the car was being ‘serviced’. I put that in quotes as it’s sometimes a little difficult to know if they really check over everything or just change the oil and filter and things you ask them. Presumably, they’re doing a good job.

I’m also grateful to Gong at Utopia who called ahead to Daytripper about a pipette for me for my CBD oil.

What was the best thing today?

Seeing Amy happy back in her room in Sydney, already thinking about how to enjoy her last eight weeks there.   She was happy to return to more comfortable temperatures although it has been a little cooler here too today.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

It was odd to be in the passenger seat of a car for a change. Weird not to have a car key in my pocket.

Something I learned today?

Watching Brian Dunning’s inFact explained why there are suddenly lots of military UFO sightings in the last six months. It all seemed to be down to a core group of connected people who have pushing their theories for the last 15 years. They’re not presenting anything new but they are all presenting it at the same time, presumably to inspire funding from the government. Which country? You can guess, it’s your friend and mine, the USA! It’s rare to hear about UFO sightings anywhere else.

What is my favourite time of day?

Although I struggle to do it without external motivation I’ve come to enjoy the mornings, especially living here in Chiang Rai. Age and location also have an influence, as well as circumstances of obligations.

I pretty much like any time of day. I’m alive and the passing of time is increasing. It’s not impossible to enjoy every breath but the last one should be spent in contentment.

I took this picture because I sat outside in the cooler air with this smelly boy rolling around at my feet and His Royal Highness Cappuccino in the apparent safety of the dining room behind the screen door.

USSSY – usssy – 3rd March 2016

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Cat #: 181TZM

Compilation celebrating the amazing work of uSSSy!

1. c.a.m.s.
2. holyshit
taken from ‘usssy’
usssy.bandcamp.com/album/usssy

3. cock-fight
4. polarity reversal
taken from ‘oko’
usssy.bandcamp.com/album/oko

5. tamers of hucksters
6. yagibiha
taken from ‘ud’
usssy.bandcamp.com/album/ud

7. kiitos theme
taken from ‘live at substancia’
usssy.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-substancia

8. tab – al-liga’
9. sanare ali
taken from ‘karpet birch’
usssy.bandcamp.com/album/karpet-birch

10. krestyane
11. booty dance
taken from ‘afghan music house party’
usssy.bandcamp.com/album/afghan-music-house-party

12. perkele
13. rave
taken from ‘unsharp mask’
usssy.bandcamp.com/album/unsharp-mask

Yes, you can get the full albums at the links provided – just remember, you discovered them first at tenzenmen! 

Gravitsapa – Radio Free Vulgata – 10th January 2016

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Cat #: 179TZM

Gravitsapa are the pioneers of the Ukrainian math-rock stage, performing among the most brightful experimental sounds.

The band has taken its name from the Soviet cult film Kin-Dza-Dza! – depicting a post-apocalyptic anti-Utopia. The major theme of the band’s work can be described in three words: mysticism, sci-fi and absurdness.

Loyalty to a one style is not an attitude to music for Gravitsapa. One successful experiment performed in a track is not to be repeated in the other seems to be the band’s motto. Only eternal escape from the cliche, emission of otherworldly atmosphere and attempts to create music as a tool to enter a trance.

At this stage the band is moving towards Shostakovich-rock and neo-neoshamanism.

This album collects their ‘Radio Free Taxipod’ and ‘Vulgata’ EPs.

– Sasha Jabovsky (Jabo) – guitar (also play in Drunk Diver sludge/grind band drunkdiver.bandcamp.com)
– Goatooth – guitar (also play in Nonsun drone/doom project nonsun.bandcamp.com)
– Vitalik – drums (ex Na Zlami Dnia)
– Adams – bass

– influences:
Jim Black, Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich, Igor Stravinsky, Georgy Sviridov, Robert Fripp, Tetragrammaton, Cybertron, Nietzsche, Blavatsky, John Cage, Bela Tarr

Fanzui Xiangfa – Discography 2006-2014 – 3rd January 2015

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Cat #: 164TZM

Coming at ya fast & heavy from Beijing (via Wuhan, Umea, Bonn, wherever else): FANZUI XIANGFA. First of all: you have to respect the grind (literally) of a band whose eight-year discography spins from start to finish in 35 minutes. That’s a lot of months per one-minute track. Recommended for fans of: late ‘80s American hardcore, very fast tempos, RIGHTEOUS FURY. Multinational corporations, racism, nuclear proliferation, the state apparatus, fitting in… these guys hate it all! I’m pretty mellow but these four have a knack for rekindling the angry fires of my youth. I can’t listen to this discography while walking down the street without sorta moshing and non-verbally daring everyone I see to confront me for being me so I can “Use [My] Fists” (gotta keep a lid on it though, ‘cause I’d lose). I swear I’ve listened to “I Am Not Like You!” so many times, my brain has blisters that will never heal. In a country just now getting into the whole mindless consumerism trip (and on a much, much more massive scale than ever before in human history), FZXF has been one of the loudest voices to say, “Fuck You”, “Fuck Your Flag!”, “Kill Your Television” and — here’s the real lesson, kids — “Destroy!”

FANZUI XIANGFA: polluting the Red Dream from within since 2006 with an alternative nightmare blacker than the guitarist’s t-shirt collection. Keep raging, boys. The New China and its smiling criminal minds are far too kind.

FANZUI XIANGFA is

狂骂 / Kuang Ma – Drums
逆反 / Ni Fan – Guitar
毛病 / Mao Bing – Bass / Vocals
冲撞 / Chong Zhuang – Guitar
六六 / Liu Liu – Lead Vocals

*活闹 / Huo Nao – Lead Vocals
**傻蛋 / Sha Dan – Lead Vocals

split 7” with Bad Nerve [2014]

Recorded and mixed by Hou Likao at Jishengchong Studio. Vocals recorded by Deng Chenglong and Tan Hang.

Fanzui Xiangfa 7” [2011]

Additional vocals by Robin. Backing vocals by Fanzui Xiangfa & Robin. Recorded and mixed by Huo Likao at Jishengchong Studio. Vocals recorded by Wang Meng.

split 7” with SS20 [2010]

Additional vocals by Fen Lie & Torbjöm. Backing vocals by Fanzui Xiangfa & Torbjöm. Recorded and mixed by Huo Likao in the summer and fall of 2009 at Jishengcheong Studio. Vocals recorded by Wang Meng & Jan Hansson.

split 7” with Daighila [2010]*

Additional guitar and bass by Kuang Ma and Huo Likao. Backing vocals by Jan Hansson, Mark and Fanzui Xiangfa. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Huo Likao at Jishengchong Studio in the summer and fall 2009.

Criminal Minds CD [2006]**

Recorded in Beijing, China. Additional guitar by Kuang Ma. Mixed and mastered by Huo Likao at Jishengchong Studio.

All music and lyrics by Fanzui Xiangfa.
Discography LP mastered by Fredrik Lyxzen.
Artwork by 猴子xvx

Thanks to: Fredrik, Hou Likao, Glenn, Bibi, Rico, SS20, Daighila, Bad Nerve, D-22, Mark, Alice, our friends and families, Genjing Records and all the other labels that have released us, everyone that has helped and supported us along the way and our previous singers Hou Nao and Sha Dan. Tack som fan! 真他妈的谢谢!

GR039
genjingrecords.com

Various Artists – 噪音 Noise – 1st February 2013

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Cat #: 089TZM

In 2004, Sub Jam established it’s sub-label Kwanyin Records. 
In 2010 Kwanyin starts the “Mini Kwanyin” series. 
CDR, limited copies, unified packages, hand produced. 
The value of CD (or CDR, vinyl etc) is not just as the medium of music but how it builds a relationship with people. 
This is a series of guerrilla publishing – it’s awaking more sounds.

Compiled by Yan Jun and co-released with Mini Kwanyin (China) and tenzenmen (Australia)

Various Artists – Give and Take – 14th July 2012

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Cat #: 064TZM

Give and Take is a compilation project initiated by us because we (Nervhous Records) think local Malaysian bands deserve the attention and exposure. We asked our friends’ bands to record a song for this compilation and this is the result. So, the bands on this disc represent just a small slice of the ever-growing local DIY music scene. As the title suggests, we need to have tolerance and respect towards each other and at the same time be opened to others, not only our little hc/punk friends circle.

This is a co-operative release between Nervhous Records, Red Ink Entertainment, Pissart Records and tenzenmen

Various Artists – Stay Together Vol 5 – 22nd February 2012

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Cat #: 068TZM

In early December 2011 64 music fans at a punk charity concert in Banda Aceh’s Tamen Budaya park were violently arrested by the Shari’ah police. The were not (and cannot) be charged with any crime but were forced to undergo religious education which included their heads being shaven and forced into the lake to bathe. 

“The presence of the punk community is disturbing, and disrupts the life of the Banda Aceh public. This is a new social disease affecting Banda Aceh. If it is allowed to continue, the government will have to spend more money to handle them. Their morals are wrong. Men and women gather together, and that is against Islamic Shariah. We will keep conducting raids until they’re all caught, then we’ll bring them for re-education here. Aceh is a Shariah region. Everyone should obey it and the punk community is clearly against Shariah. This training will be an example in Indonesia of the re-education of the punks.” 

The religious police have threatened a continuation of arrests and re-education against the punks “until they are better.” When questioned about the targeting of punks due to their cleanliness the Police Chief justified the actions by drawing a distinction between them and “the clean punks that exist in different classes.” Asked why the police aren’t then targeting the homeless he stated “there are no homeless in Aceh, there are only punks.” 

The Governor of Aceh has denied that the punks were even arrested saying, “the truth is that police are helping them develop (their skills).”

Human Rights Watch have pointed out the multitude of ways the authorities have abused the rights fo the detainees including the violation of freedom or expression and not receiving proper legal treatment. They are understandably concerned that this treatment will continue unless the case is processed legally. 

“What did we do to deserve arresting? We didn’t steal and we didn’t bother anyone. The punk community in Banda Aceh is not involved with criminality. So what’s the crime that justifies us being brought to this camp? This country hasn’t yet made it illegal to express yourself, right?” 

The Stay Together compilation CDs exemplify the support the punks show for each other, in Indonesia (where the bands are from), in Australasia (where all the record labels involved in the release are from) and in the worls (where the punk community has come together to help). As part of this community, tenzenmen offers this release with 50% of physical and 100% of digital sales going to help the punks in Aceh. Available via mailorder and digital download at www.tenzenmen.com and in the best selected independent music stores around Australia.