The Days of Lore

Jay Reatard is so snuggly

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 | musiX, pdX | 1 Comment

When I first heard the name Jay Reatard I: a) didn’t catch the first “a” in his last name, and b) thought he was some semi-obscure punk artist from the ’70s known only within circles of dweeby vinyl collectors who don’t listen to anything released after 1983. When I discovered he was a young kid from Memphis, I was actually a little disappointed. Then I listened …

Jay Reatard (born Jay Lindsey in 1980) might as well have been part of the blank generation. He’s an old soul for sure. Reatard’s music is sort of that sloppy and poppy, lo-fi rock that could fit snuggly somewhere between The Ramones and The Voidoids. Ahh … so snuggly.

Reatard’s music has evolved, but it hasn’t lost its soul. His early days with his bands The Reatards and The Lost Sounds were more punk, less pop, ripping straight from Memphis legends The Oblivians. After years of side-projects Reatard dropped the band names and was dropping new songs, which turned into his first “solo” outing Blood Visions (In The Red) in 2006. Not a clunker in the bunch. Still, he continued churning out snarling, three-minute pop songs at a dizzying clip—Singles 06-07 and Matador Singles ‘08 soon followed and Reatard was touring the world.

Some of Reatard’s influences are obvious—Wire, Devo, The Clean—you know, the good stuff. But so are a lot of songwriters’ influences. There’s an interview with Turn It Down where Reatard perfectly sums up his songs: “I think it’s just noisy pop music.” He just happens to do it better than most.

Which brings us to 2009. Jay Reatard will release his new album Watch Me Fall on Aug. 18 on Matador Records. In the meantime, Reatard has been touring Europe and the States and will stop by Dante’s in Portland Wed., June 17 with Thee Oh Sees and locals The Nice Noys (now that is a great show). I’m sure you’ll hear plenty of new songs, including “It Ain’t Gonna Save Me” … which is just noisy pop music. And better than most.

“It Ain’t Gonna Save Me” - Jay Reatard

Tags: Blood Visions, In The Red Records, Jay Reatard, Matador Records, Portland, The Reatards, Watch Me Fall

I have my Hunches

Monday, April 20th, 2009 | musiX, pdX | 4 Comments

Every day should be Record Store Day … I mean, why not? Ken Cheppaikode, who runs Portland’s Green Noise Records, said it was probably the best day of business he’s had since taking over the place in 2005. He was understandably in a chipper mood that day.

So was I. Beautiful weather brought Portlanders out in droves. And I was able to make it to a couple of stops on on my RSD09 tour. I snagged a handful of free CDs from Cheppaikode’s label Dirtnap Records, as well as the latest release from Portland’s The Hunches.

Exit Dreams was recorded in the spring and fall of 2007, and was finally released earlier this year. It’s the four-piece’s first record in almost five years. Exit Dreams continues their knack for stirring up shit over a semblance of melody, before twisting it into an unnerving, unending knot. Songs like “Not Invited” and “From This Window” are the calm before “Fall Drive” and “Your Sick Blooms”—think some of Velvet Underground’s louder moments colliding with Frank Black’s weirdo pop songs.

It all started with 2002’s Yes. No. Shut It., and the band continued to spill blood on records like Got Some Hate and Hobo Sunrise (on the always trustworthy In The Red Records) and alienate their show-goers. It’s the kind of stuff usually remembered years after a band is dead and gone. And the end is coming soon. The Hunches will play a handful of shows, including one at the East End in Portland on June 24 with Eat Skull, The Whines and The Blimp. Then, poof … (?).

“Not Invited” - The Hunches

“Fall Drive” - The Hunches

Tags: Exit Dreams, Got Some Hate, Green Noise Records, Hobo Sunrise, In The Red Records, Ken Cheppaikode, The Hunches, Yes. No. Shut It.

Reigning Sound making new sounds in 2009

Monday, January 26th, 2009 | musiX | No Comments

A few years ago, a friend turned me on to the Reigning Sound, which immediately became one of my favorite bands. I listened to Home For Orphans and Time Bomb High School until the discs turned to a fine glittery dust. I told all of my friends about them. Bought more records. Told more friends … maybe even told a few enemies.

Reigning Sound singer/guitarist Greg Cartwright might be the only man alive who can pen songs where a shit-storm of distortion can sidle up ever-so tenderly to soulful hooks and tearjerker lyrics. But it’s not all guitar ruckus. Cartwright’s voice always comes through like a man who’s lost it all, especially on songs like “If You Can’t Give Me Everything” and “Since When.” So damn pretty.

He’s been at for years with his former Memphis garage outfits Compulsive Gamblers and the Oblivians. Reigning Sound formed in 2001 and released a few albums including the aforementioned works along with the aptly titled Too Much Guitar in 2004. The band also backed former Shangri-Las’s singer Mary Weiss on her 2007 album Dangerous Game.

Reigning Sound calls North Carolina home these days, and the band is currently working on some new sounds that should hit wax sometime this year on In The Red. I’ll be keeping an eye out. Not enough people know about these guys. Shame. But those who know, know better, and are very intelligent human beings.

“Straight Shooter” - Reigning Sound (Time Bomb High School)

“If You Can’t Give Me Everything” - Reigning Sound (Home For Orphans)

“Since When” - Reigning Sound (acoustic live on Thacker Mountain Radio)

Tags: Compulsive Gamblers, Greg Cartwright, Home For Orphans, In The Red Records, Mary Weiss, Oblivians, Reigning Sound, Time Bomb High School, Too Much Guitar