S U B B A C U LT C H A ! M AY 2 0 0 8
RUTH VAN BEEK
MAGAZINE
HEALTH ENV E L O P E S I N TE L L I G E N CE B O N N E A PA RT E NEW BLOODS AIDS WOLF
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24-04 THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS
+ KISS THE ANUS OF A BLACK CAT
26-04 MIKROFISH (D/UK), THE USA
27-04 BROWN FEATHER SPARROW 30-04 ROY & THE DEVIL’S MOTORCYCLE (ZWI)
+ THE HERB SPECTACLES, LOS BUCKETBOYZ
02-05 CASTANETS (USA) 04-05 THE DRIFT (USA) 07-05 NATHALIE MATTEAU (CAN) 15-05 ROOMMATE (USA) 21-05 INTELLIGENCE (USA) 22-05 TIMESBOLD (USA), SLEEPING DOG (B) 22-05 VALGEIR RIGURDSSON (ICE), SAM AMIDON (ICE) 25-05 THE DUKE SPIRIT (UK) 28-05 KC MCKANZIE (D), THEE OH SEES (USA) 29-05 SKELETONS & THE KINGS OF ALL CITIES (USA) 30-05 KID DAKOTA (USA) 31-05 PAPER CHASE (USA) 01-06 PLANTS & ANIMALS (CAN)
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PATRONAAT | HAARLEM | WWW.PATRONAAT.NL 2
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SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
THIS IS SUBBACULTCHA! IN MAY YES! WELCOME TO SUBBACULTCHA!’S VERY FIRST MONTHLY MAG DEDICATED TO THE UPPACULTCHA! OF TOMORROW... (OR IS IT?). BUT WHY BOTHER WAITING TO CHECK OUT THESE MUSICAL MOVERS-AND-SHAKERS AS OLD FARTS AT THE OPERA WHEN YOU CAN CHECK THEM OUT IN A SKANKY CLUB TODAY WHEN THEY’RE ALL STILL EDGY AND ENERGETIC. THAT’S THE KIND OF MAGIC THAT CAN RUB OFF ON YOU, YOU KNOW. AND YOU WILL END UP BEING THAT SENTIMENTAL OLD FART AT THE OPERA ANYWAY. SO WHY FIGHT IT? BUT AT LEAST YOU CAN STILL COME ACROSS AS AN OLD FART WITH AN EDGE— ‘I HEAR THAT YOU AND YOUR BAND HAVE SOLD YOUR TURNTABLES AND BOUGHT GUITARS’ —BECAUSE ‘YOU WERE THERE’. BUT HURRY UP... TODAY’S ALREADY YESTERDAY. And it could be you
S U B BA C U LTC H A ! I S G I V I N G AWAY TO N S O F N E W R E L E A S E S F O R F R E E ! CHECK WWW.SUBB ACULTCHA.NL
Including: Health, Envelopes, New Bloods, Sam Amidon, Bonne Aparte, Intelligence, Skeletons And The Kings Of All Cities, The Chap, The Paper Chase & Aids Wolf. S UBB ACU LT C H A ! M AG A ZI N E IS A P U BLIC ATIO N O F S U BB AC U LTCHA ! Grensstraat 14 II 1091 SX Amsterdam, the Netherlands www.subbacultcha.nl To advertise email bas@subbacultcha.nl
Design: Bas Morsch This month’s featured artist: Ruth van Beek Contributors: Keimpe Koldijk, Leon Caren, Jeroen Boekhorst, Nick Helderman, Steve Korver & Marc van der Holst.
SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
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SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
ENVELOPES (SWE, BRILLE RECORDS)
M AY 7 T H , STUDIO-K, AMSTERDAM+THE RAGDOLLS
Refreshingly un-rock ‘n roll, Envelopes entertain and endear, offering a gawky brand of Scandi-indie. Breathlessly sincere, their quirky brand of pop music comprises of a litany of characters and sounds, from the Björk-esque French squeaks of token female Audrey Pic, to the melodic, lyrical absurdity of Belle & Sebastian. On their current release ‘Here Comes The Wind’ Envelopes display an unabashed sense of fun, with always a hint of something darker hovering overhead. (Source: artrocker.com)
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SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
HEALTH (USA, LOVEPUMPUNITED)
M AY 1 5 T H , B I T T E R Z O E T, A M S T E R DA M + A D E P T + E VA B R AU N
Like their L.A. peers No Age, Mika Miko, Abe Vigoda and other bands from the upcoming scene around ‘The Smell’, on the Westcoast of the US, HEALTH cop elements from punk and hardcore and then decontextualize them. But where most of their scene goes in for a kind of charming amateurism, HEALTH strain further, incorporating complex percussion and deadpan tribal Liars chanting into their blast beats and feedback freak-outs. Their raging live performance has already blown away critics. “The perfect mix between Liars and Animal Collective”. SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
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SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
THE MOI NON PLUS (NL, SUBBACULTCHA!)
M AY 2 3 R D , D E N I E U W E ANITA, AMS TERDAM + NEW BLO O DS J U N E 5 T H , T H E AT E R RO MEIN, LEEU WARDEN + BO NNE APARTE
Hailing from the depths of the Amsterdam Underground Scene, these two tough fuckers are already notorious for their sharp and edgy noise-rock. Combining razor sharp guitars, samples and postpunk scream-o-dance vocals, with a drummer severely injuring his drum kit. Needless to say, a live show of The Moi Non Plus is a must. Their music can best be placed between the likes of Liars, The Lapse and early Sonic Youth. They’ve just come out of the studio laying down what is set to be an instant classic Dutch-Indie-ArtNoise Release, if ever there was one. Due to come out in October on Subbacultcha! 6
SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
BONNE APARTE (NL. WHAM!WHAM!RECORDS / SUBBACULTCHA!)
M AY 2 2 N D D B ’ S , U TREC HT + INTELLIGENC E M AY 2 9 T H B I T T E R ZO ET, AMS TERDAM + S ILVERS S ALTS M AY 3 0 T H V E R A , G RO NINGEN + S U IC IDAL BIRDS J U N E 5 T H T H E AT E R RO M E I N, LEEU WARDEN + THE MO I NO N PLUS J U N E 1 0 T H T I VO LI DE HELLING, U TREC HT J U N E 1 9 T H PATRO NAAT, HAARLEM J U LY 0 6 T H M E T RO P O LIS F ES TIVAL, ROTTERDAM
Bonne Aparte is known for their need to push things in the red as far as they can by provoking their guitars, drums, percussion, synth and vocal chords. On stage they pull up a massive wall of noise and feedback but always with enough space between the bricks for catchy song and dance routines. Combining the craziness of Captain Beefheart with the rhythmic tightness of Shellac and the adventurous musical approach of Millionaire, Bonne Aparte stands for overwhelming live performances and songs that are as exciting on tape as they are on stage. Their first album will be released in May 2008 on Wham! Wham! Records and Subbacultcha! SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
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SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
THE CHAP
(UK, LO RECORDINGS)
The Chap have become known and loved for their inimitable popimprov-disco-rock-with strings sound, captured in some crunchy, truly “out there” home production and a furiously rocking live show complete with dance routines and scary faces. Brown buzzing keyboards splat like hungry flies against brown-noise beats, guitars bravely slog through whirling synthesizers, and muffled vocals digging out from underneath the mess. The Chap is the wall of sound of Kraftwerk and Neu! blended through a fresh and fast postpunk mixer. J U N E 5 T H , PAT RO N A AT, H A A R LEM J U N E 6 T H , D E N I E U W E A N I TA , AMS TERDAM + THE S TU TTERS
THE PAPER CHASE
(USA, KILL ROCKSTARS/ SOUTHERN)
Combining early sounds of new wave (Television, Pere Ubu, Dead boys) with experimental craziness (Pop Group, Slint) and Pavement-style indie, The Paper Chase bring on a combination of discordant melody and jagged noise pop. Their current release ‘Now you are one of us’ marks the sound of ghostly forces opening and closing squeaky doors, expressing nihilistic-existentialist dissatisfaction. With song titles such as ‘The Kids Will Grow Up To Be Assholes and ‘Wait Until I Get My Hands on You’, The Paper Chase offer battle anthems for those who won’t go down without a fight, but also sadistic theme songs of their bloodthirsty attackers. (Source: pitchfork.com) M AY 9 T H , DB’ S , U T R E C H T + S I LVER S ALTS M AY 3 1 S T , PAT RO N A AT, H A A R L EM 8
SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
INTELLIGENCE
(USA, IN THE RED)
Intelligence Frontman Lars Finberg has clearly earned his lambskin from the school of asshole rock. Combing a sort of violent Mark E Smith type malaise, mashed up with Cramps-like mutant rockabilly and Brainiactype surf cyborg wipeout, Intelligence are one of the most exicting and uncompromising bands out there. Their latest release Deuteronomy marked a move away from lo–fi scrappy home recordings, giving their violent sound a less detached but equally compelling dynamic. Unlike previous releases, Deuteronomy doesn’t feel like one homogeneous rant, but rather a newly reformed psychopath hesitantly giving society a second chance. (Source: pitchfork.com) M AY 2 1 S T PAT RO N A AT, H A A R L EM M AY 2 2 N D D B ’ S , U T R E C H T + BO NNE APARTE M AY 2 5 T H OC C I I , A M S T E R DA M + AIDS WOLF + EAT TAP ES
ADEPT
(NL, WHAM! WHAM! RECORDS)
Raging with great fury from the icy north of The Netherlands come these four lads spitting their rumbling dark beat based electronoise all over the place. ADEPT stands for deep, uncompromising and cold Teutonic beats with loud noise eruptions and a constant subtle erotic layer underneath. In Holland critics acclaim they are “the best underground live act of the country”. M AY 1 5 T H , BI T T E R ZO E T, A M S T ERDAM + HEALTH + EVA BRAU N SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
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THIS MONTH’S FEATURED ARTIST: RUTH VAN BEEK
SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
SKELETONS
AND THE KINGS OF ALL CITIES
(USA, GHOSTLY)
M AY 2 9 T H , PAT RO N A AT, H A A R LEM M AY 3 0 T H , DE N I E U W E A N I TA , AMS TERDAM + P FAF F + KANIP C HEN FIT
The Skeletons are the most wildly inventive strain of anti-rock to touch down on earth. And best of all, they break just about every single rule in the book while remaining thoroughly enjoyable. Their alienesque, slow-jamming sounds could only have come from the deepest recesses of space, where synths make new, interesting dark and dim noises and guitars, short of being a thing of the past, are used in a completely different way. Maybe if Animal Collective covered Brian Eno/David Byrne’s My Life in the Bush of Ghosts and did a duet with Gang Gang Dance and D’Angelo (no kidding) it would come close to what Skeletons sound like.
NEW BLOODS
(USA, KILL ROCK STARS)
If you’re truly more on the dance-y side of art-punk, be prepared for some awesome, sweaty, dance-crazed primal punk rock brought to you through pounding drums, bass and violin. Since their first band practice in March 2006, the three ladies who make up the New Bloods have dropped jaws and touched off unruly, spontaneous dance moves across the dark and drizzly basement/house party landscape of the US west coast scene, currently known as ‘The Smell’ (Health, Abe Vigoda, No Age, Mika Miko). M AY 2 3 R D , D E N I E U W E A N I TA , AMS TERDAM + THE MO I NO N P LUS 12
SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
AIDS WOLF (LOVEPUMP/SKINGRAFT, CAN)
M AY 2 5 T H / O C C I I , A M S T ERDAM, + INTELLIGENC E + EATS TAPES CO PRODUCED WITH HALLO GALLO # 7
They are a cult. Their intentions are unclear. They bring ill will. AIDS Wolf embraces the hate. If they can’t draw you in, they will make you run away cursing and bitching. Their songs speak to the terminally alienated, the relentlessly negative and the inherently repugnant. The Montréal four-piece (two guitars, drums and insane warbling) was born in early 2003, spreading their fierce noise to the protestations of most of humanity. Since the beginning, they’ve sought to live the life: to practice complete aesthetic immersion, create music in some form every day, and live healthfully to facilitate their creative endeavours. No vacations allowed. SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
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SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
DIGITAL LEATHER
(USA, FDH)
M AY 1 5 T H D B ’ S , U T R E C H T
Dark & dismal synth-punk from Tucson, Arizona. Forget Joy Division, Lost Sounds or DAF, here is Digital Leather kicking out the synths in hard swinging eighties fashion.
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SAM AMIDON
(USA, BEDROOM COMMUNITY)
M AY 2 2 N D , PAT RO N A AT, H A A R LEM
Singer-banjoist Sam Amidon’s repertoire is made up of adapted American folk songs, putting a unique stamp on the material with his gentle, eerily deadpan voice and subtle arrangements. New Album All is Well out on Bedroom Community.
VALGEIR SIGURDSSON (ICL, BEDROOM COMMUNITY)
M AY 2 2 N D , PAT RO N A AT, H A A R LEM
Founder of Bedroom Community and producer of the likes of Björk, Sigur Rós, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billie, Múm and Cocorosie, Sigurdsson’s music combines fragile and sober songs, with minimal electronics.
SUICIDAL BIRDS
(NL, TOCADO RECORDS)
M AY 3 0 T H VER A , G RO N I N GE N + BO NNE APARTE
‘Armed with out-dated amps, (self made) pedals, drum machine, bass guitar, guitar and the elastic, strong and moving voice of singer Jessie they bring up a up howling storm, drenched in the raw passion of the blues: intense, urgent, confronting, personal, sometimes treacherously playful, exciting and inescapable. Blues combined with the energy of punk emphasising the rough and readiness, weirdness and wilderness that is so essential to rock and roll’.
PFAFF
(NL, THAT DAM!)
M AY 3 0 T H , D E N I E U W E A N I TA, AMS TERDAM ( C D RELEAS E PARTY) + S K ELE TON S A N D T H E K I N GS OF ALL C ITIES
One-man-Indie Orchestra Pfaff has been around for some time now, changing shape almost every other album. His upcoming release I kill myself and I want to die is due out May 2008. Beware as it contains dance-floor-filler ‘Hot Dick for Cold Women’. 14
SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
CASTANETS
(USA, ASTHMATIC KITTY)
M AY 2 N D PAT RO N A AT, H A A R L EM
Derail it! De-tune it! Stack it all up and let it clatter back down again. Tour the inner coastal waters in a sailboat with friends. Get labelled Gothic Americana and avant-something and psyche-something then tie it up in a sack and toss it in the River; toast life while the whole mess drifts downwards and drowns somewhere in the ocean. Castanets is the person of Ray Raposa singing bare voiced to his acoustic guitar. But most of all Castanets is American music drowned and then reborn. New album ‘City of Refuge’, out on Asthmatic Kitty (Sufjan Stevens, My Brightest Diamond).
BLACK DIAMONDHEAVIES
(USA, ALIVE)
From the deep South of the US of A come these label mates of the Black Keys. With just drums & organs, this two-piece combines the likes of Dr. John, RL Burnside & MC5 to bring you a foot stomping & ear thumping boogaloo party. Get your soul food here! M AY 2 9 T H DB’ S , U TREC HT SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
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Studio K is hĂŠt nieuwe cultuurpodium van Amsterdam met film, theater, muziek, clubavonden, eten en drinken. Houd ons programma in de gaten op www.studio-k.nu
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SEE PAGE 18-19 FOR A FULL PROGRAMME
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SUBBACULTCHA! MAY 2008
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INTELLIGENCE (USA) BONNE APARTE + LUSHUS SAM AMIDON (USA) VALGEIR SIGURDSSON (ICL) NEW BLOODS (USA) THE MOI NON PLUS AIDS WOLF (CAN) INTELLIGENCE (USA) BONNE APARTE (CD RELEASE PARTY) SILVER SALTS SKELETONS & THE KINGS OF ALL CITIES (USA)
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COMING SOON BONNE APARTE CD RELEASE 26 MAY ON WHAM! WHAM! AND SUBBACULTCHA!
The Moi Non Plus CD release Fall 2008 on Subbacultcha!
Watch out!