Reviews

Artifix

Hypnotics Indoor Fiends LP reissue

How have I never heard of this before? Is Indoor Fiends supposed to be a play on the word “endorphins”? And just exactly what the hell is happening on this album cover? I’m left with these questions and more after listening to the reissue of this HYPNOTICS LP from 1982. Packing 22 songs that fill up a full 34 minutes and change, this thing is a straight-up KBD monolith showcasing a slew of sharp tunes. As much avant-garde art as it is outsider rock, the music uses subtle synths to beef up its quirky punk sound that calls to mind bands like Minneapolis first-wavers the SUICIDE COMMANDOS and San Francisco’s legendary NUBS. Subject matter here spans the realms of strange, offensive, personal, and sometimes even poetic, and they cap off this barrage of off-kilter toe-tappers with two fantastic back-to-back instrumentals (“Wild Kingdom Safari” and “The Quest”). It’s a fun ride that warrants many replays. Led by a guy that called himself “Marky De Sade,” this Long Beach band was known for their chaotic live shows, and the comments section on a YouTube upload of this album is filled with fond memories from locals who were there. If you’re into the oldies, you oughta have this one, and now you can own it on “Grimace purple” vinyl, no less.

The Latin Dogs Warning! EP reissue

A time capsule of raw punk from Michigan—this reissued EP follows a once unreleased LP recorded straight to boombox in ’82. Grim hardcore from the era of cheap beer and cement basements. Total DIY ethos, somewhere between BATTALION OF SAINTS and early NECROS. It’s lo-fi, blown-out, and essential for anyone who lives for the sound of Midwestern punk being born in real time. The fidelity is trashy and perfect. An archeological artifact for everything-punk freaks—warts, hiss, and all.

The Web Slivers, Shards, and Tell-Tale Hearts LP

There’s something to be said for the small luxury of listening to the physical copy of a release while simultaneously writing its review, and I’m doing just that for this piece of gold. The WEB were a deathrock band that existed from the early ’80s to the early ’90s. They spun their sonic web with a sound reminiscent of 45 GRAVE, but with more surf guitar and a stronger gothic vibe. This LP collects sixteen songs from their career and presents them in a relatively chronological order. Tongue-in-cheek lyrics highlight indifference towards religion, suffering, and overcoming struggle. Inside the sleeve you’ll find a 9″x11″ folded zine-style lyric sheet with some great photos of the band and some dedications to members who have passed. This record is absolutely going to stay at the top of my stack for a long while, and will probably become a staple of my collection.

Viletones Screaming Fist EP reissue

Known for unpredictable onstage violence and nihilistic theatrics, it’s clear that the early inception of the VILETONES aimed to give audiences an experience to remember. So, it’s fitting that their debut record is led by such an unforgettable scorcher. A faithful recreation of the original, this Artifix Records edition is its first official reissue. Released in 1977 on the band’s own Vile Records label, the Screaming Fist EP is a cherished relic of first-wave fury and a staple in serious collections. Behind the killer Mick Rock photo cover, it sounds like it looks, and the A-side is an elite punk anthem. It doesn’t even matter what the other songs are, really. With iconic simplicity, the title cuts like a knife every time. Frontman Steven Leckie was one of the original punk agitators, relentlessly promoting the band and stirring up trouble everywhere he went. The legend of his antics often overshadows the music, but “Screamin Fist” still manages to shine through brightly.