By Erika Meyer
A recent Collapse Board article noted the preponderance of ‘serious’ music gaining popular critical acclaim. I found that interesting, since from my vantage point it appears that independent music is actually growing sillier, weirder, and more irreverent. Traditional garage, psychedelic and surf music is undergoing a re-imagining here on the West Coast (USA), complete with an accompanying tiki-and-trash hard-partying subculture. Some bands are swimming in the midst of it, sharing with and stealing from each other, while others splash about the edges. It’s raw, raucous, rock’n'roll ruckus, all fuzz, smoke, and swamp monsters. Curious? I’ll give you peek through the green door. [Great fucking list, Erika! I'm totally making a mix tape out of these - Ed].
Not all these bands fit strictly into a genre – the main theme here is the lack of seriousness. Most, but not all, of these bands are from Portland, Oregon or Oakland, California. I don’t know why this is, it just is. At the end, I’ve included a small list of associated independent labels.
In alphabetical order…
1. The Bobbyteens
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
Fronted by Tina Lucchesi (Trashwomen, Cyclops, Midnight Snaxx), The Bobbyteens have been around since the late 90s. My favorite track is ‘Hey Roxy’ because it reminds me of my cat, Roxy. She loves The Bobbyteens.
[Cover of a Half Japanese song, right? As The Cramps once sang, they got good taste - Ed]
2. The Bugs
PORTLAND, OREGON
The Bugs are a duo, performing since 1998. They released their last single in 2007, I think, and I thought I also heard that The Bugs preparing to release some new material this year, but I’m not sure. This song came out 13 years ago on Tombstone, the label owned by Fred and Toody from Pierced Arrows (or, if you will, Dead Moon), but the video is brand new.
3. Courtney And The Crushers
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
courtneynthecrushers.bandcamp.com
4. Cyclops
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
A duo with one giant eyeball residing in Portland and the other Oakland, Cyclops in some ways epitomizes this whole list of bands. Drummer Tina Lucchesi also plays in The Bobbyteens and Midnight Snaxx.
5. Eat Skull
PORTLAND, OREGON
Eat Skull is an unusual band with an evolving sound. They used to play house parties and arty dives in Portland. Now they mostly play the Netherlands and Australia and New York City… They have a new record coming out in February and will be performing that month at Portland’s Mississippi Studios. So maybe they are a serious band?
Here’s a sample track for their soon-to-be-released album
http://soundcloud.com/woodsist/eat-skull-how-do-i-know-when
and here’s something older.
6. Guantanamo Baywatch
PORTLAND, OREGON
guantanamobaywatch.bandcamp.com
Though Guantanamo Baywatch formed in Portland, Oregon, its founding members are from the Palo Alto, California (near Oakland, of course). Jason Powell and Chevelle Supersport are visual artists as well as musicians, incorporating freaky mind monsters into stage sets, flyers, album covers and such. Jason is a skilled guitarist who uses vintage gear and gets vintage surf tones, but he takes it all to newer, heavier, crazier places. And his vocals? Beautiful. Possessed.
7. Hunx And His Punx
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
8. King Tuff
kingtuffworld.com
???
One of the more ‘professional’ acts on this list, and the only one for which I can’t nail down any real geographical identity. Like Eat Skull, King Tuff is everywhere and nowhere. Nonetheless, there is some kind of connection to the Oakland/SF scene. King Tuff is signed to Sub Pop.
(continues overleaf)