3 minute read
This Little Underground
LOCAL RELEASES
On their recently released sophomore record, Orlando band Fabulous Weapon — the duo of notable underground figures Juno White and Alien Witch’s Dee Dee Crittenden — have already sharpened their knives considerably. While still retaining their raw art-rock allure, the Highway Killerz EP finds them significantly more crystallized in sound and concept.
On it, the two members play lawless lovers like a punk Bonnie and Clyde, and the five songs here constitute a Natural Born Killers-esque story arc that traces their rise and fall. Musically, this sinewy record rumbles with more hunger and purpose like a stalking jaguar. All together, it’s a dark and pulpy misadventure that keeps it stylish and close to the bone. The Highway Killerz EP is available on Bandcamp as a name-your-price download.
Early this year, Orlando’s Snotnoze Saleem landed strong on the scene with Type Shit, his very fresh full-length debut as a rapper-producer. Now, he’s already returned with a quick follow-up in new album Intifada. While it fires out the gate with the same manic energy as his maiden voyage, it quickly becomes clear that his left-field rap’s got some new game.
Over its 13 tracks, Intifada trades in much of the lo-fi frenzy of Saleem’s debut for a remarkably more honed sound. Besides the more sonorous and substantial production, his music and delivery are on a new level of penetration thanks to some wiser framing and pacing.
None of this means that Saleem’s lost his raw, manic thrill. His raps are still hyper, and his sonic tapestry remains impressively freaky. It’s all just distilled and channeled to hit more like a missile than a bomb. The track “Herpes Simplex,” for example, is a laserfocused, serious-as-fuck roll that is pure, dark swag.
While Type Shit was an auspicious debut, Intifada is a quantum leap. Given such an evolution in such a short time, Snotnoze Saleem is already shaping up to be a darkhorse contender coming in hard from the outside lane. Intifada is up on major streaming platforms now, but it’s also available as both a name-your-price download and superlimited edition cassette on Illuminated Paths’ Bandcamp page.
CONCERT PICKS THIS WEEK
If you’re coming out, be safe, be cool.
Crowbar, Spirit Adrift, Fond, Bunaand: Brace yourselves for the return of Crowbar because these pioneering New
BY BAO LE-HUU
FABULOUS WEAPON | COURTESY PHOTO
Orleans sludge hulks are coming here on their first album in over five years, and it’s a beast of doom. Top to bottom, this is a powerhouse bill between the touring and native bands alike. Austin tourmates Spirit Adrift will ride in like a charging cavalry with their victory metal. Orlando’s Fond will rumble your guts raw with their dire noise rock. And the show will also be a peek at new local band Bunaand. All told, it’s gonna get heavy. (8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, Will’s Pub, $20)
Thomas Milovac Trio: Thomas Milovac has been making impressive waves of late as one of the most active and experimental figures in Orlando’s underground jazz scene. Between his ensemble work in free-jazz supergroup Bongus, his own solo music and his label, Cosmo Sonic Collective, Milovac’s been a welcome jolt to the system. For this performance, his trio will perform material from his strong debut album, Sun Ray, released early this year. In addition to that, he’ll also showcase new solo bass and double bass material. Go see where Orlando’s jazz vanguard is right now. (8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, Bynx, free)
Proxima Tide Tiki Bash: Sadly, the surf rock contingent has never been a sizable slice of the Orlando music menu. But for those who miss the once-frequent performances by Thee Wilt Chamberlain like I do, new local band Proxima Tide are here to pick that torch back up with their wave-riding instrumentals. School’s back in, but summer doesn’t have to be over. And it won’t be with Proxima Tide playing and one of the tiki specials in your hand. (6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, Lil Indies, free)
baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com
