spazz

2 spots on my last.fm alltime list is occupied by Deerhoof and Marnie Stern. Yet even though there are new albums on Kill Rock Stars from both camps because I’ve been delaying their drafts everyday and it is about time I come clean that I won’t be able to write.

For all you guys & gals who aren’t in the know, Deerhoof is playing today in Istanbul courtesy of Bant Magazine. I don’t know if it means something for you but they’re currently #1 on my last.fm after 2 years and more than 60.000 listens overall and I still think that they’re one of the best bands I’ve ever listened and I’m actually excited about a show.

If you’ve never heard of their name, they have taken the riot-grrrl vocals and mixed them up with freestyle non-compositions and raw noise aesthetics, Japanese style. Here’s 2 short songs from their 2005 album Kore Ga Mayaku Da on Tzadik and some live videos of them wreaking havoc on Youtube.

Deerhoof is currently the #1 group on my last.fm list for the 2 years I’ve been on that site, does that tell you anything? Yes, their songs are short, but I also listen to grindcore and by grind standards, Deerhoof’s songs are mixtapes.

Hailing from Animal Collective’s record label Paw Tracks who also hosts artists like Ariel Pink and Terrestrial Tones, First Nation has been THE band of August for me.

Here’s a lovely band that should be on the coverpage of every decent music magazine immediately. A two piece progressive punk jazz gypsy folk fusion band, with unbelievable stage presence and fun factor. With a girl on drums and vocals, and a boy on electric guitar, the comparison with the you-know-who immediately sparks to the mind. Fortunately their music sounds not like the White Stripes at all, this is some kind of unique spazz art rock fusion, with Boros’ great folk inspired melodies and Frecheville’s frentic drumming and incredibly talented voice.

You may remember Ni-Hao! , the all girl spazz-punk-choir band from Japan previously featured. Here is the video from a 3 song live medley from them, excerpt from an upcoming DVD. You’ve got to love these girls..
also, Deerhoof playing “Panda Panda Panda” live, Tortoise Live at Werchter…