Discover Four More Bands Right Now
Aztec culture, retro synth, desert stoner rock, and gothic rock steeped in punk? Sounds like another MeatSheet summer set of reviews. The air is smoky from real wildfires and its over 110 F here. We’ll be trying to discover and expose more artists soon. Tied neck and neck for favorite of this set is Tapestrees and Symbolism.
Tapestrees – Xiuhcoatl – single
First, a few things to know about Tapestrees. They’re local to Phoenix, Arizona at this time. I don’t know of too many bands in this metro valley that still make music close to Tapestrees. If you do please share, but I am claiming this band as one of my top 3 local favorites. Please don’t make me choose where they fit in the top 3 . As I said, no band I know is playing this type of proficient alternative rock. One may think of modern prog because that is an easy label to describe Tapestrees.
Before we get to this track I’d like to give big ups for referencing an Aztec serpent in title and artwork referencing Aztec culture.
The more I study ‘ancient ‘ cultures the more I realize ‘history’ is not what it seems. Likewise I approach Tapestrees the same. On the surface it’s progressive rock based. But there is more than just a label or genre here.
Xiuhcoatl introduction is a fast and clean run that hammers on and flows. When the bass and drums comes in you can feel the full impact of this band. The drums sound huge and the cymbals are a chaotic flurry of bronze fury. Bass filling in all appropriate gaps with hums, throbs, and then dropping out for a rest. The toms, bass, and lead guitar motif that opens Xiuhcoatl all come together in a sense of speed.
You feel like you are running through a rainforest at a speed ancient Aztec legs can’t travel.
At about 2:30 of 4:30 ish minutes Tapestrees slows a bit and breaks it down. Eerie keyboards with a crescendo foreshadow an event about to happen. You’ll have to listen yourself and let your imagination take over. the opening run starts up again and the pitch intensifies. Finally the outro is upon us. Is Xiuhcoatl fully realized in physical form? I know not.
The drums are more precise and the band gives quick hits and a brief synth whirr of a freakout. Xiuhcoatl ends and I am wowed. Tapestrees is one of my local favorite secrets, but I ‘ll happily share them with anyone because these guys play their asses off and take no prisoners when it comes to thought out song structures. Lest you think they over intellectuallize, they can free jam and improvise. You can get an entire discography at this link. https://tapestrees.bandcamp.com/track/xiuhcoatl?fbclid=IwAR1539wChB8ia7Jnefu1_So0T9fv7x8wTYqQ0m6d6r5_mYE9UCVrm3S3_iU
Ender Bender – Bewildered EP – self released
Ender Bender is an artist from L.A. based in Rome, Italia . Also known as Eddie Olguin, Ender Bender is definitely honing in on the inspirational mid-to-late 80s synth vibrations. The lyrics are positive. Multo Bene. I love Giorgio Moroder’s and Philip Oakey’s Electric Dreams song. You may hear a faint echo of Oakey aka Human League and some Moroder type sensibility in Ender Bender’s Bewildered EP. It’s sprinkled about the five tracks. I’ll probably repeat myself on this point, but Ender Bender is coming strong with motivational spirit and lyrical content. Many could say this is needed in these crazy times.
The keyboards are dominant, however, Ender bender uses electric guitar to drive the point of each track further into the listener’s psyche.
This is common in the <dare I say> “retro” 80’s synth realm. I’m probably not the best qualified to review this EP but I figure nothing ventured, nothing gained. The music really isn’t something I can down with all the time. That is to say, I favor a few tracks over others. Even though I may not fancy every single track, the production is on point. It is obvious Ender Bender has put in serious work. I can admire it for what it is.
Bewildered is about an inclusive dance party. That I back 100%
Ender Bender is the voice of the MC at the party making everyone feel welcome and ensuring that you’re having a great time.
These songs need to find the right listener. The obvious listener will dig synth-pop and uplifting messages. New Era reminds me of the sentiment of ‘True Faith’ by New Order. But fans of Mitch Murder, Ace Marino, Gary Numan, The Weeknd, Gunship may want to investigate the Bewildered EP.
The overall feeling of Talk To Me is super positive aka posi. Although this track doesn’t resonate with me, the concept of having someone you can confide in and talk with does. So it wins and is just a matter of exposure before it grows and finds its (wider) audience. The s/t cut is the darkest and edgiest in sound. You get bass soaking in synth, vocal hooks. The same repetition of uplifting lyrics. This track is still poppy but I can hear early Gary Numan influence throughout. The bridge is total Electric Dreams as mentioned above. The lyrical content. Being in love. Being bewildered. Ah the mytsery of love itself. The darkness of the intro and lyrics vs. the excitement, joy and confusion is a striking contrast.
Reconnect is an instrumental that showcases Ender Bender’s arrangements.
The glide of the pitch bend is a classic sound that nods to funk, dance, and classic 80’s R + B.
New Era is my favorite. If this is not a dance club hit, it should be . The synth waves wash through New Era. They hum and saw through the mix. Funky guitar peppers the vocal hooks. Ender Bender seems to be calling for a revolution, a new era based on unconditional love. Yes ! Without getting off on a philosophical tangent, it’s my opinion that there are many who want to change the paradigm into a new era that Ender Bender is singing about. The jazzy synth mingles with the saw waves and makes a very comforting union. This track simply creates.
I’d say New Era destroys, but the destroyer is dependent on the creator. Remember that lesson , kids.
Overall , the aesthetic is a less hyped up Andrew WK. AWK is super high energy, bash the keyboard and guitar into oblivion type of attitude. Ender Bender is less intense in delivery and execution. Rest assured the strong intent and work ethic is very present. I reckon that if performing , they are not kicking and thrashing , but the positive sentiment towards partying is the same.
Ender Bender is more lyrically driven and focuses on being a spectacular soundtrack for fun and a stellar host for your synth pop party. New Era though, Wow. Imagine if New Era’s lyrics are put into practice and spread around ? It could a trans phenomenal world event for the greater good of the many.
Stöner – Nothin’ – Heavy Psych Sounds
Very much in the vein of Kyuss, which is understandable as it contains Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri who are connected to Kyuss directly as former members. Nothin’ is track about people tryin to do ya dirty. It’s 100% stoner rock as their name suggests. It has hints of smokiness and the blues. Nothin’ is not mind blowin’. It’s very mellow for what I come to expect from Nick Oliveri. I mean come on man, that dude is wild. A consummate bassist. He literally stage dove at me and there were very few people to catch him. He was kicked out of the Dwarves? I expect a little more, but alas , the LP is coming so I’ll wait. This could be their slow, mellow number.
Brant Bjork is a monster on the kit.
I’ll be waiting to hear the LP. Nothin’ is 2 and a half minutes so it’s not a huge commitment. I guess my expectations are high because Nick plays with Bl’ast , QOTSA, and many others. Equally for Brant Bjork he plays in so many bands (Fu Manchu , but check out Che ) that when I hear Nothin’ I’m wondering, ” Where’s the Beef ? ”
Symbolism – Iced Out single
This project surprised me as I stumbled across it. It’s my duty to cover this band as many of my cohorts are fans of Symbolism’s previous efforts. I am also a fan, read on as I expose my being a newb to Christian Death. Symbolism is a project that contains punk rock legends that are steeped in gothic roots. Your mom and dad’s goth roots which IMO is cool as it’s the first wave. Like punk in mid to late 70’s there was no ‘goth’ status quo. These members helped to create it with many of their peers. I’m talkin Rikk Agnew (Guitar -Adolescents, Christian Death, DI), James McGearty (Bass – Christian Death, Dark Age), and London May (Drums – Samhain, Tiger Army, Son Of Sam).
I’m all in for Samhain meets Adolescents.
In fact, check out a Misfits / Samhain tribute with some London May commentary here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/glenn-danzig-tribute-part-ii-november-coming-fire/
But Christian Death ? I’m on the highway to goth slow plan. As a result it’s my fault and ignorance I have not gone deeper into their catalog. This is 2 songs which seem to be very worthwhile. Consequently the website offers snippets of each. There is limited edition vinyl. So if nothing else, for all the vinyl collectors I’d say pick this up, no questions. If you are like me, not a collector, then you may have to keep checking for other formats to be released. “Iced Out” snippet sounds a little like Ministry in the prime (Land of Rape and Honey ish era) but alas it’s only a sneak peak. “Figurative Theater (Symbolized)” is an updated version of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL6MI4jG3lM
Both versions seem full of angst and satisfy death rock cravings. I’m sorry I slept on Christian Death. Symbolism is a second chance for me to go deeper into Christian Death. These two songs definitely have captured my attention. I’ll be watching for a chance to purchase this s/t single on a format. The 7′ is going to sell out fast if it has not already. 250 pressed ! Click link to check remaining availability. https://symbolism.band/music