Although people may think that as the writer behind Bent Nights, I am a pagan witch who has an affinity for roasting small animals and children alive, in all actuality I appreciate the year-end holidays just like everyone else.
It may not be the sentimental nostalgia that many feel, but it is appreciation, nonetheless. What makes the end of the year so special for me is all the cool stuff that gets released at that time ( yep, hot for swag ), and that includes indie-queer scratch-and-sniff punk to go along with that Celine Dion Christmas album.
For openers, the architects of Glitter Creeps and the Hansel and Gretel of Chicago DIY punk have been at it again. Madison and Donnie Moore just dropped a new single in anticipation of a full-length to be released next year. Although their band, Absolutely Not, have called the songs "appropriate" and "timely," it is clear that they have their tongues firmly in cheek.
"Programmed" is a shrieking train wreck of an assault with manic guitar riffing and Donnie squeaking, yelping and squawking as if his pants were on fire. It takes a little getting used to, but sounds like Absolutely Not evolving in fast motion. If that suggests the shape of things to come, the killer here Is "Vacation," which arrives just in time for the holidays. With Madison going psycho all over her keyboards and drummer Santiago Guerrero fueling the whole mess with a cracking fury, Donnie lets loose with a relentless and savage rant about a dysfunctional family get together. It's scathing, incendiary, hilariously over the top, and insanely thrilling ( "WE'RE NOT A HAPPY FAMILY!!!!," is the entire chorus ) and puts this uncertain season into perspective.
On the other hand, creamy girl/boy rock band Strawberry Jacuzzi has its own take on shrieking rage, but this band frames it in deft pop and the mash-up is charming and arresting. The brand-new Watch the Clock, on Some Weird Sin Records, sounds like The Chiffons channeled through Sleater-Kinney but with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
"Astronaut Girl" is so sweet and innocent that it suckers you into forgetting that it is undisguised bubble-gum pop while "Batman and Princess Leia" speaks on that period in life when growing older starts to dampen all those youthful dreams. It's a heady thought but vocalist Shannon Candy, with a bank of chiming guitars behind her, makes what would be a creeping downer into a lark in the park. "Pity Party" is where the thrills are, with co-leads Nikita Word and Candy fighting Ross Tasch ( on bass ) and Devon Press ( on drums ) for space in the mix while shrieking the chorus ( "P I T Y!!!!!!!!!!" ) with hair-raising femme fury.
For something a bit more melodious, we have Wisconsin band Proud Parents and the new CD Sharon is Karen, on Rare Plant Records. Rather than rage, the band relies on big ringing guitars, hooks and compositional craftsmanship and shimmering harmonies while taking the idea of kinetic cohesion at the heart of Absolutely Not and Strawberry Jacuzzi and inverting it. The music here is subtle pop played with verve and a near-out-of-control energy that are striking and completely endearing.
"Something to Talk About" is a fun romp, with vocalist Tyler Fassnact ripping through the lyrics with all the finesse of a lumber jack sawing through a phone book. "Lead you Back to Me" is even better with drummer Heather Sawyer fighting those guitars like she is singing for her life. Ultimately, Sharon is Karenwith all those precise harmonies, torrents of guitar and uncharacteristically lively vocalsdefies pop on its own terms.