The Indie Anthology 80: essential songs

Let's keep with the recovered pace, so here comes another one for the Indie Anthology! Today we move to Essex, to pay our modest tribute to a very beloved band of the Blog (that his mighty leader David Callahan took his time to answer our questionnaire is among the "achievements" I'm most proud of). One that is very well "alive and kicking", in what, in my humble opinion, easily ranks among the most exciting comebacks in music history. Jangle-noise (what?) courtesy of the pack from Romford!

Song: Magic Triggers 
Artist: The Wolfhounds 
Year: 1990

It started, of course, with me downloading (Audiogalaxy folks, pure Pleistocene era) the über recurrent C-86 compilation. A bunch of wonders (Close Lobsters, Bodines, Shop Assistants and McCarthy, to just name a few), but also quite an amount of fillers (being polite). And then, others with a big question mark on it. Discovery, promise, or just one hit wonders? 'Feeling So Strange Again' was in that category for me. But not for a long time. Not when you discover a blasting tune like 'Anti-Midas Touch', or a record like 'Unseen Ripples from a Pebble'. It was jangle-pop, sure, but there was also bite and lyrics to dig in. And the following discoveries were asking me to dig deeper, more consciously, in that rage and social commentary, while the noise and experimentation kept the group interesting. Raw indiepop. with thorns in every side. What was not to love? Like McCarthy, The Wolfhounds were a group for me. So, to choose just one tune has been excruciating. The aforementioned 'Midas', the perfect combination of grit and mellowness of 'Me', the stormy, sonicyouthesque 'Blown Away', the incarnation of The Fall's gloom in 'Another Hazy Day On The Lazy "A"', or more recently, the mesmerizing melodic urgency of 'Divide and Fall'. Any of them could have gone here. Why the choice of 'Magic Triggers' then? I guess it has to do with the "take no prisoners" upbeat start, or the pressing, contagious immediacy of the tune, or the desperate vocals delivered by David, or the manic guitar halfway of the piece, or the tension, the constant threat between melody and fury. Sums pretty well all the reasons why I love The Wolfhounds and why I think they are among the most criminally underrated bands. Period. Here I rest my case.

These Go to 11: interviewing Shelflife Records

Back to our regular posts after the Indietracks experience, and our next guests to answer our questionnaire we have a very special couple. What would have been of this Blog without them? Matthew Bice & Ed Mazzuco, the Shelflife Records' bosses, one of our favourite independent labels. Mankind needs them. These Go to 11!

Ed Mazzuco & Matthew Bice, Shelflife Records

Ed & Matthew, making your ears
happy since 1995

Shelflife Records began in 1995, when Ed Mazzuco, a fan of 80's English pop and with mythic labels as Factory and Sarah Records as reference, launched the label in a southern California suburb bedroom, in conjunction with a mail order and distribution service. The goal: introducing foreign indie pop groups to the US. Shelflife's first release arrived in August 1996, the compilation 'Whirl-Wheels' which included tracks by Club 8, Boyracer, La Buena Vida, and Ed’s own band The Autocollants. A year later, Ed & the label moved to New York, and although the mail order and distribution service were discontinued, the artist roster continued to grow: Shelflife was a hobby no more. Recognition keep increasing, and the label's scope expanded, hosting the annual showcase The September Set, and in 2007, with Ed and Matthew Bice relaunching Shelflife blending art with music. To put it simply: one of the best indie labels out there, almost infallible. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

Ed: I think it was OMD's 'Crush'. Or maybe LL Cool J 'Bigger and Deffer'
Matthew: 'Me and You and a Dog Named Boo' by Lobo

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)

Ed: First concert was New Order in 1988. The last, Toy
Matthew: The first was Chet Atkins. The last, Primavera Sound 2014

Motown in the 90s? Ummm....

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)

Ed: 'Send The Pain Below' by Chevelle
Matthew: 'Motownphilly', Boyz II Men

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
Ed: Hard one… maybe Buba and the Shop Assistants 7"
Matthew: Signed copy of 'Blue Monday' 7”

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

Ed: Sometimes these words just don't have to be said
I know how you both feel the heart can rule the head
Jealousy is an essential part of love
The hurting here below and the emptiness above- The Wedding Present, 'My Favourite Dress'
Matthew: I think, yes. I’m doing a fine job Cocteau Twins, 'Summer Blink'

They want you (but don't dress like them)

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Ed: All of the Shelflife bands I have never met
Matthew: ABBA

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Ed: OMD, 'Dazzle Ships'
Matthew: 'Satan is Real' by The Louvin Brothers

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 
Ed: Movie, 'Ski School'
Matthew: Movie, 'Toto the Hero'

Days 'Downhill'

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
Ed: Days, 'Downhill' 7”
Matthew: Days,'Downhill' 7”

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Ed: Doing it your own way and not falling into industry traps
Matthew: Not letting “that’s not how you do it” get in your way

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Ed: Living where I can work less and enjoy life more
Matthew: Under a tree, petting my sheepdog

Zillion thanks Ed and Matthew!

Spanish Indie 17: suggesting the best national acts

Time for more of the best bands coming from Spain, enjoy!

Santa Rita. Formed in 2008, this all-female quartet hailing from Barcelona started their career by playing a lot live, including a slot at Primavera Sound Festival, or supporting Juliette Lewis. In early 2011, they released their debut S/T EP and, after a change in their line-up, in March 2013 came out "High On the Seas", first album on Aloud Music. Nine fire-powered pills of indie-rock, channeling the 90s spirit, fierce, passionate, cohesive and fuelled by rousing guitars and a tone of attitude. A lot of promise from a real band offering a heavyweight debut. 

Puzzles y Dragones. Discos de Kirlian again, they're on a pluperfect pop roll. Daniel de la Mancha (Autofans, Atrapado en el Tiempo, El Diablo Adolescente) gathered with three members of Alborotador Gomasio, and after seven months of devoted recording, here comes their debut 7" EP "Somos Puzzles y Dragones". Four tunes (five on its digital version), some reworks from Dani's previous bands and some new, this is a haunting little collection of indiepop gems in the vein of the best British pop from the 90s. Songs so good that seem to have been waiting for you for decades, ready to embrace and never let you go.
Wild Balbina. Coming from Vigo, the trio formed in 2010 when Antía Figueiras and Marta González decided to move on from their initial covers combo to a real band after recruiting V. Zapata. A lot of local exposure live followed until 2012, with their only release to date, the EP "Eat Tacos", out on Elefant Records. Self-defined as wild teen-punk-surf, the four tunes are a stunning blend of styles recalling bands like Bleached, Veronica Falls, Helen Love or The Shop Assistants. Besides their killer songs, the link with the riot grrrl movement is obvious, as they also run the feminist-cultural fanzine Typical Girls, offering another reason to keep this name on your agendas. More soon please!