Win a copy of MERCH’s ‘This Betrayal Will Be Our End’
February 7, 2012
On January 31st local rockers MERCH released This Betrayal Will Be Our End on SF’s Sassafras Records. This marks the band’s second release and first on the North Beach label/distributor. The brainchild of Joe Medina, MERCH began some years ago as a chaotic and confusing project – evidenced by anything-goes live performances and a number of different members.
It was the collapse of a seven year relationship that spawned the focus and drive for Medina to pen This Betrayal, an album taking roughly two years to complete. The finished product plays like an audio version of the five stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – centering MERCH’s purpose now more clearly than their earlier days.
Most tracks feature the central presence of hard-driving cello sounds, played by Sam Bass of Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade, lending a unique and appropriate sound to the album’s shattered relationship to mending heart theme.
Stream/download the entire album above and on Sassafras Records’ Bandcamp page.
This Betrayal is also available on vinyl in select locations, and we’ve got two copies to give away! Just email contest[at]thebaybridged.com to enter, and include “MERCH Album Giveaway” in the subject line. Good luck!
Related Posts:
Dirty Ghosts – “Ropes That Way”
February 7, 2012
Dirty Ghosts – “Ropes That Way”
Like dirty ghosts, Allyson Baker and Carson Binks, two Toronto expats, rose from the ashes of their old San Francisco-based band Parchman Farm and formed Dirty Ghosts in 2006, a stripped down form of gritty garage and psychedelia with drum loop-y programming by hip-hop recording artist and producer — and Baker’s husband — Aesop Rock.
After looking for a singer with no luck, Baker finally and reluctantly said “fuck it” and has since added vocalist to her resume. But when she lost Binks in 2011 to Oakland stoner metal band Saviours, she had to take matters further, by re-working and re-recording the sound and amassing a new line-up featuring Erin McDermott, Nick Andre, and Ben Tuttle. The sound is pretty funky and new wave rock-y with Speak & Spell-era Depeche Mode beats in the background. Baker’s powerful vocals are heartfelt and prominent, not awash in reverb as so many singers are these days — pretty ballsy for someone who never wanted to be a vocalist.
The band’s debut LP Metal Moon is out February 21 on Last Gang Records. With a West Coast tour and appearances at both Noise Pop and SXSW festivals, as well as a concerted effort to get new with their style and stay fresh, Dirty Ghosts are worth keeping your eye on in 2012.
Locals can see Dirty Ghosts play Noise Pop with Bare Wires, Chapter 24, and Chains of Love on February 23 at the Brick and Mortar Music Hall.
Related Posts:
Night Genes’ CD release party: Wednesday, 2/8, with Tidelands and Yesway
February 7, 2012
San Francisco folk outfit Night Genes will be having their CD release party at Café Du Nord this Wednesday, February 8th, in celebration of their sophomore effort. Like the Blood follows their 2009 debut, Two Phantoms & A Holy Ghost. The band claims the new record “moves past mortality into rebirth, inquiring into the idea of evolution and progress from one generation to the next.” We think Boise native Eric Ingersoll’s baritone sounds a bit more Matt Berninger than Bill Callahan on the latest.
Night Genes – “Soaring Through the Chromosomes”
Two other local bands open: Tidelands and Yesway, the latter of which consists of Emily Ritz of Honeycomb/Dreams and Kasey Johansing.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.
Related Posts:
Video: Creepers – “Black Moon”
February 7, 2012
Creepers – Black Moon from Chris Willmore on Vimeo.
Creepers (featuring members of White Cloud) have released a new HD video of the band performing the song “Black Moon” in a living room.
Compared to the band’s three-track EP released in July, “Black Moon” is a lighter, more nimble version of their earlier prog-metal style. Fitting the song’s bright sound, the video includes a projector coloring the room with washed out reds and greens.
Related Posts:
Xray Eyeballs – “X”
February 6, 2012
Xray Eyeballs is the product of San Francisco expatriate O.J. San Felipe (also responsible for Golden Triangle) who is apparently also some kind of marketing genius. He has amassed a cult following in a short period of time from unhealthy and DIY rock-and-roll tactics, like getting obliterated and hanging from rafters at shows, or giving away a now coveted “ghost girl” t-shirt to every punk, skater, or goth he could find. Okay, maybe marketing isn’t quite the right word, but Felipe is certainly doing something right.
As for the music, Xray Eyeballs deliver dark and driving pop hooks that are occasionally surf-y with strong vocal harmonies and synth melodies to boot. Track three of their second LP Splendor Squalor (due to be released February 28 on Kanine Records) is available for download on Bandcamp, and, my-oh-my, is it catchy. Just one listen will not suffice if descriptions like “darkwave” or comparisons to Factory Records float your boat.
So far, no word of a west coast homecoming for San Felipe and his bandmates Liz Lohse, Sarah Baldwin, and Carly Rabalais. We will keep you posted.
Related Posts:
Before new album, Sea of Bees gives away free live EP
February 6, 2012
Sea of Bees will release her sophomore album Orangefarben in May, but before she does, she is offering a free download of an exclusive live performance, now available on Soundcloud.
The Live at the Hangar 5.3.11 EP captures Sea of Bees, also known by her real name Jules, in an intimate live setting in Sacramento’s Hangar Studios, where she recorded her first album Songs for the Raven. The EP ends with a haunting rendition of the rarely performed “It Won’t Be Long,” which features Jules playing one of Neil Young’s old antique pump organs that she used on the studio version.
Sea of Bees will performing at Noise Pop on February 24th opening for Wye Oak at the Independent.
Related Posts:
‘Noise Pop Photo Retrospective’ opening reception with Plastic Villains, Cool Ghouls @ BotH 2/7/12
February 6, 2012
Ready for another Noise Pop party before the music kicks off February 16th? Yes! Yes you are. On Tuesday, February 7th Bottom of the Hill hosts an opening reception for the Noise Pop Photo Retrospective (6-9pm, Free, 21+), a visual look at the previous 19 years of one of the Bay’s most influential and important musical events.
Everything that helped mold the festival into what it is today – the musicians, the fans, the venues – will be featured, thanks to these photographers who caught it all: Eduardo Acorda, Marlu Aufmuth, Jeanne Ellenby, Peter Ellenby, Charlie Homo, Sheila Menezes, Paige Parsons, Mike Rosati, Julie Schuchard, Shoka Shafiee, Matt Seuferer and Deb Zeller.
The party will feature sets from local rockers Plastic Villains and Cool Ghouls, as well as Trumer Beer specials. Check out Plastic Villains’ first ever music video for the song “Fish Hook Esquire” off the album Whoever You Are Today.
Related Posts:
January’s Best: Our favorite Bay Area songs from the blog last month
February 6, 2012
Here’s our latest month-in-review mix collecting some our favorite new (or new to us) songs recently posted on the website. Gathered in the mix are over a dozen new tracks that were posted on TheBayBridged.com in January, with links below to download each of them individually.
Mixtape: Best of the Blog January 2012
Tracklisting:
