Viel los auf den Straßen der SMITH STREET BAND. Neben dem großartigen „Throw Me In The River“, welches es nur (!) bei uns als limitiertes Bundle auf orangefarbenem Vinyl inklusive eines Stoffbeutels im „Surrender-Design“ gibt, rocken die Jungs ordentlich durch die Clubs Europas. Im Oktober startet ihre Tour mit THE MENZINGERS & THE HOLY MESS; alle Tourdaten findet Ihr weiter unten.

Darüber hinaus haben unsere Freunde von Backstage Broadcast Wil Wagner auf dem Groezrock 2014 schon ein wenig zum Thema Vinyl ausgefragt (hier zu sehen), was wir an dieser Stelle mit den 5 Lieblingsplatten von Fitzy der SMITH STREET BAND fortsetzen wollen. Eine bunte Mischung aus originellem Alternative von THE AFGHAN WHIGS, über die Noise-Helden von DINOSAUR JR und drei weiteren Stationen gibt’s einen detaillierten Einblick in die musikalischen Vorlieben einer der zur Zeit aktivsten und umtriebigsten Punkbands aus Down Under.

1. Archers Of Loaf - Vee Vee

The second album by one of my all time favourite bands. Recorded in 1995 by Bob Weston, presumably it was tracked fairly live and raw judging by the wild and scratchy guitar sounds. I heard they used to slash the cones of the speakers in their amps. All the Archers albums were released a few years ago as deluxe editions with altered cover art and extra discs of bonus material, including demos and b-sides. It's really cool to hear some of the demos and sketches of songs which end up being radically different as album tracks. My favourite track would probably be 'Underdogs of Nipomo', which wasn't part of the set list on their recent reunion tour apparently because they couldn't remember what tuning it was played in!

2. Dinosaur Jr - You're Living All Over Me

Another second album from one of my all time favourites. Such a perfect and timeless blend of Dinosaur Jr's early hardcore beginnings (see Deep Wound) and J Mascis' super crazy loud fuzzed out yet beautifully melodic guitar. Originally released in 1987 on SST, I think it was around the time that Sonic Youth kind of took the band under their wing. I read a quote from Lee Renaldo once saying something about how J Mascis takes seemingly simple chords and makes them sound out of this world. I guess that's why I've always loved Dino Jr so much, it's just got this magical melodic resonance, and J's solos never get boring, there's always hooks going on. However, what makes the band sound so huge is Lou Barlow's distorted bass and Murph's rolling drums. They always know where the accents should fit in between the screaming wall of guitar.

3. Husker Du - New Day Rising

Released just six months after the sprawlingly epic double album Zen Arcade in 1985 also on SST. I sort of imagine Zen Arcade as this crazy psychedelic swirl with some songs floating about like islands, whereas New Day Rising is this totally focussed onslaught. Every song is at once pummelling and catchy, it almost seems like Bob Mould and Grant Hart are in a really intense song writing contest against each other, to the death. Recorded by Spot, who produced much of SST's influential early catalog, the sound technically sucks but I wonder if I would like the album as much if it was recorded differently. I love the direct-in guitar tone, it's so abrasive and fizzy and in your face, I think it matches the voracity of the vocals perfectly. I don't think anyone could make a record like this unless they've been through some shit and come out on the other end saying 'fuck you'.

4. The Afghan Whigs - Black Love

Released in 1996, I read somewhere that this album was written as a soundtrack for some kid of pulp crime screenplay that was never made into a movie. There are themes of escaping, love, heartbreak, murder and new beginnings. It's so dramatic, and I guess the lyrics have really appealed to me personally in more turbulent times. "Stick it to my enemies tonight.." and the contrast of lines like "A lie, the truth, which one shall I use?" and "Do you think I'm beautiful, or do you think I'm evil?" from the opening track 'Crime Scene, Pt. 1' really kill me, and the songs slow build and quiet / explosive dynamics are really affecting. The last three tracks; 'Bulletproof', 'Summer's Kiss' and 'Faded' form a standout final trilogy, along with the aching plea of 'Step Into The Light'. It's a really soulful, powerful album, albeit with some 70's funk moments that err on cheesy, that tells a dark yet beautiful story.

5. Teenage Fanclub – Bandwagonesque

Another second album! Released in 1991, Scotland's Teenage Fanclub pull off this awesome mix of grunge-esque noise and sweet 70's power pop. There's some of the angst and nihilism of punk and all the sweet saccharine love songs of great pop music complete with three part harmonies all over the record. I like this album because I think it could've come out basically any time from the 60's up until maybe 2030 and it would still be popular. It's got all the elements that made rock music popular from the beginning I guess. Highlights include opening track 'The Concept' and 'Alcoholiday', which has cool lines like "There are things I want to do, but I don't know if they will be with you" and "Went to bed, but I'm not ready / Baby I've been fucked already". I guess it's about being wasted!

THE SMITH STREET BAND

auf Tour mit *The Menzingers

07.10. BE - Antwerpen - JC Kavka*
08.10. NL - Amsterdam - Paradiso*
09.10. DE - Hamburg - Hafenklang*
10.10. DK - Kopenhagen - Beta*
11.10. DE - Berlin - Cassiopeia*
13.10. CZ - Prag - 007*
14.10. AT - Wien - Arena*
15.10. AT - Graz - Explosiv*
16.10. DE - Wiesbaden - Schlachthof*
17.10. DE - Essen - Cafe Nova*
18.10. LX - Luxembourg
23.10. DE - Freiburg – White Rabbit
24.10. DE - Bonn - Harmonie - WDR Rockpalast