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 Before I ever met Matt Krefting, I found him to be an intriguing dude, especially his choice in haircuts. One trip down to Brooklyn, he’d be sportin’ some sorta butcher baby bowl cut that would make Moe Howard cringe and the next week I’d take a trip up to Northern Massachusetts to see him at some such gathering or another donning a quaff that would make Paul Mitchell shriek in purple envy. ‘Hmm…what makes this dudes’ sheers tick?’ I pondered from across the room while others weaved to and fro from the man. After that, I got to know him as a member of the barely there drone trio Son of Earth as well as the bass player for the shambling and defunct Glam Rock unit, The Believers. When I finally got to talk to the guy, I found him to be more than a haircut. He’s a genuinely swell cat with a sharp musical knowledge and a ferocious appetite for whiskey and wine.
continue reading "Matt Krefting interview"
by TONY RETTMAN
Despite a small population consisting mainly of descendents of England’s cast-offs, Australia has graced the rest of the English-speaking world with many excellent rock bands. AC/DC, the Saints, Coloured Balls, Radio Birdman, and the Birthday Party are just a few of the many Australian bands worthy of any rock fanatic’s collection. And now, with their second full-length album, Eddy Current Suppression Ring makes a play for inclusion in the annals of antipodean rock accomplishment. While the production value of...
continue reading "Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours (Goner)"
by JOEL HUNT
It’s difficult to describe just how great a band Harry Pussy was, or how thoroughly the Miami-based trio demolished the line between provocation and confrontation, without noting that their least offensive aspect was their name. During their brief mid-1990s “career” they managed to utterly obliterate audience expectations, even when those expectations were at best marginal. The one time I was lucky enough to see ‘em, at a show I booked during their farewell tour, they even managed to bum out a small crowd of otherwise open-minded...
continue reading "Harry Pussy - You’ll Never Play This Town Again (Load)"
by JOEL HUNT
There’s no getting around the inherent difficulty posed by the music of the Shadow Ring, one of the UK’s most obscure, yet most rewarding bands of the past decade. Ironically, what makes their music difficult is its complete simplicity. Home Counties chums Graham Lambkin and Darren Harris (with later member, Tim Goss) outlined their early musical approach most succinctly in their 1994 album Put the Music In Its Coffin, whose title spells out the distinctly amateur (yet not “amateurish”) nature of their scrapes, wheezes, and plain-spoken lyrics...
continue reading "The Shadow Ring - Life Review (1993-2003) (Kye)"
by JOEL HUNT
Daniel Higgs does not have a publicist. I’m pretty sure he
doesn’t have a manager or a booking agent, either. He
occasionally obscures his identity by adding extra middles names, such
as “Belteshazzar” or “Arcus Incus Ululat.” In
the liner notes to some of Lungfish recordings on which he’s
sung, he’s not credited with his proper name. There’s no
official Daniel Higgs web site, no MySpace page, no Facebook profile.
And certainly no digital press kit, or any high-resolution jpegs.
What Higgs does have is a crucially singular approach to the song,
an approach that is so unique and intensely beautiful that few
musicians alive in the world today can match its power. That is no
mere exaggeration. And he achieves his sound with only his voice, a
long-necked banjo and, occasionally, a jaw harp.
continue reading "Daniel Higgs interview"
by JOEL HUNT
You know what’s a good album? Andy Ortmann’s new album. Ortmann is the man who documented his particular fetishes most famously in Panicsville now gives us his answer to an academic record in Provocative Electronics. Here, Ortmann shows his electronic prowess in a more stripped down environment. As usual his process and editing are specific yet at times there is definitely a mad scientist vibe as Ortmannn mixes his potions and laughs nefariously. In this sense its successful due both to its composition...
continue reading "Andy Ortmann - Provocative Electronics (Pan)"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
Drunkdriver are a good punk band. People hate them for various reasons, their live shows are often exhibitionist and over the top, also guitarist Kristy Greene plays some of the most aggressive slide guitar since Teenage Jesus. On this new 7” the band sound more unhinged yet tighter than last year’s full length on Parts Unknown. Which makes sense as the band has hit the road and developed their chops. Michael Berdan’s vocals sound genuinely paranoid and the guitar/drum one-two punch sound mean and ready to go. Both tracks are solid and it’s a fine addition to your contempo-punk files.
continue reading "Drunkdriver - Knife Day (Fan Death)"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
 Mouthus came out on more of the bash and pound side of the noise equation, although always showing allegiance to the Double Leopards axis of vague hippie tendencies. Mouthus played loud and hard yet they weren’t as negative as say, Air Conditioning. Since then the band has maintained a steady stream of increasingly psychedelic albums, Divisionals is an all synth album, a far cry from the loud free-style drums and guitar workouts of their earlier days. Outside of the bands established context, they manage to coax out a clearly defined aesthetic...
continue reading "Mouthus - Divisionals (Ecstatic Peace)"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
Lotus Plaza is the solo pseudonym of Deerhunter guitarist Lockett Pundt. Lotus Plaza plays simple shoe-gazed pop tunes, drenched in reverb and easy hooks. The material here reminds me of teenage four-track dream-pop. At times Lotus Plaza excels at dramatic builds in small spaces. It sounds lo-fi, but it’s certainly well mixed; it’s somewhat uniform but melodies stick in the head. Mostly it sounds like soundtrack music to a critical moment in a John Hughes film. All Deerhunter associations aside, it would still fit comfortably with the revived Slumberland or Woodsist rosters. The Floodlight Collective is the first album by Lotus Plaza and is unassuming enough to be completely enjoyable with its faraway strums. We got to pick Mr. Pundt’s brain regarding the album via email.
continue reading "Lotus Plaza interview"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
 I slightly recall some sort of eighties revival showing its turtle head sometime in the early 00’s via dance music and ugly leggings, but I was too busy drinking heavily and collecting Jackie DeShannon records to really pay attention. It seems some six or so years later, we are in the eye of a reverse shit storm of the thing with every ‘taking some time off’ college grad and their army hat wearing cousin clogging their macs with oatmeal to get that ‘authentic 80’s bedroom sound’. No one wants to be Mantronix or Gang of Four anymore...
continue reading "FIVE OR SIX - Acting on Impulse – The Best of Five or Six (Cherry Red)"
by TONY RETTMAN
It’s taking me some time to come to the realization that it’s been ten years since Six Organs has come into fruition and become the man to blame for everything from Davandra Banhart to the decline in hair clipper sales. Not that I think it ‘feels just like yesterday’ since I first made acquaintance with the Six Organist on that grassy knoll in Amherst Common or anything. In fact, as I sit here and really think about it with brow furrowed and chin stroked, it doesn’t really feel like anything. It just feels like time has passed like it’s supposed to and...
continue reading "Six Organs of Admittance - RTZ (Drag City)"
by TONY RETTMAN
These Teenage Panzerkorps have intrigued me for awhile now. Are they really German? Are they really dudes from that god awful Jeweled Antler collective? Are they really cold? Or is it just an incredible assimilation? I guess all these inane questions (used as personal distractions only, of course) really don’t equal out to shit when I consider how many newly released records sit dusty and untouched around this place while their jams get played once, twice…sometimes even three times in a week!
continue reading "Teenage Panzerkorps - Games for Slaves (Siltbreeze)"
by TONY RETTMAN
Blank Dogs has been a favorite of mine for the last year, so when Skyscraper Magazine asked me to talk to the man behind the project, Mike Sniper, I happily accepted. The article is published in this month’s new issue so go check that out. In the interim here is the Q and A version, which is more the conversation as it occurred. Enjoy.
continue reading "Blank Dogs interview"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
Here’s the conclusion of Tony Rettman’s epic interview of the one and only Joe Carducci. For those of us on the East Coast we will have an opportunity to hear the man read and field questions in the flesh at two upcoming events. Read on.
Thu. Nov. 20, 8pm
SPOONBILL & SUGARTOWN
218 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
718-387-7322
www.spoonbillbooks.com
Sat. Nov. 22, 7pm
JUANITA & JUAN'S
125 N 11th St Philadelphia PA
www.myspace.com/juanitaandjuans
continue reading "Joe Carducci interview part 2"
by TONY RETTMAN
Every so often Swingset likes to throw a party. On Nov 8th at Club Rehab we were lucky enough to feature a diverse array of sets from some of our favorite acts both old and new. Starting off the evening was the first ever set by Philadelphia’s Cold Cave, whose icy tones and anthemic minimalism translated just as well on stage as on their two recent recordings. Burning Star Core played an all solo set that ran the gamut from drone poems to violin and drum machine improv duets. Fans of Burning Star Core’s epic Challenger album were not disappointed. Finally, Dan Melchior graced the New York area with his presence once again to deliver some fiery rock and roll sermons, including tracks from his forthcoming double LP. Backed by Todd Cavallo and Chris Weingarten, Melchior showed us once again why he’s the best at what he does. Thanks to everyone who came out, especially Swingset neighbor Nikki Sneakers who provided us with the following photographs thankfully preserving the images for us and to share with those of you who could only be there in spirit. Until the next party....enjoy.
continue reading "SWINGSET MAGAZINE PRESENTED"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
Joe Carducci is a rock scholar and writer to the highest degree. With his first book Rock and the Pop Narcotic, Carducci placed himself within the cannon of Lester Bangs, Richard Meltzer and what have you. With the unique insight of having worked at the greatest music label of the 80s, SST, Carducci witnessed the from both the label and the distribution end. His latest book Enter Naomi is a must read and places all this within the context of the story of SST photographer Naomi Petersen. Tony Rettman stepped up to get the scoop for Swingset, so here's part one of the conversation. With the unique insight of having worked at the greatest music label of the 80s, SST, Carducci witnessed the rise and fall from both the label and the distribution end.
continue reading "Joe Carducci interview part 1"
by TONY RETTMAN
 “The Radio’s dead… but the song’s in my head,” sing Nothing People on this debut album. While I don’t know much about the group that lyric provides a signifier which we can attempt to decipher where this comes from. The above referenced lyric gives the impression that the radio was once alive. If its true, that the Nothing People were weaned on
continue reading "Nothing People - Anonymous (S-S Records)"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
Nice solo femme noise/drone here from Denver’s Brittney Gould, who I believe has some sort of association with Inca Ore. Sounds here are basic layered echoed vox over sparse melodic minimal lines and effects. There’s a middle ground here between the new school Pocahaunted style chants and the noisier/weirder east coast Fursaxa/Zaimph...
continue reading "Married In Berdichev - 7” (Gilgongo Records)"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
Nice Face is another entry into the new school home recorded synth rock underground. Their recent 7” for the Sacred Bones label was a resoundingly worthy slice of bored club lo-fi bangers. Their follow-up cassette on the other hand is not up to par. There’s several clunky guitar solos that are not good enough to justify being up front and center in the mix. The songs are...
continue reading "Nice Face - Can I Fuck It? (Jerkwave Tapes)"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
Alessandro Pessoli, "Nudo Cartoccio" (2007). Gouache, spray paint on paper, 39" x 53". Courtesy Marc Foxx.
Pessoli rapidly brushes and stains with oil, gouache, acrylic and spray paint onto paper as thick as cardboard. A process of layering and revealing is achieved by cutting and collaging the paper. The sewn stitch is both used as a drawing tool, and as a means to attach the paper, resulting in an unexpected exploitation of materials. This is not fussy or belabored work. The effect of the mixed media, the drips, scribbles, sprayed paint and sewing comes off as vital, expressive energy. It is as if the artist physically tackles his subjects, hoping to capture the images before they escape him, sewing them down, grounding the ephemeral.
continue reading "Pessoli's Gypsy Bunker"
by ALEXA GERRITY
If there’s going to be a No Wave book then for sure Byron Coley and Thurston Moore are the guys to do it. Released last month on Abrahms the book features tons of newly unearthed photos and flyers as well as new interviews with the major participants of the No Wave scene. While the post-apocalyptic warzone that was the Lower East Side of Manhattan no longer exists its shockwaves live on some decades later. The authors of this gracefully designed and informative journey into the nihilistic philosophies and primitive restructuring of this endemic scene graced us with their thoughts in this Swingset exclusive.
continue reading "No Wave"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
One tape I just can’t get enough of is this new Mark McGuire cassette entitled Tidings. McGuire is the guitar player in the new-school drone MVP’s Emeralds whose rise as a group continues to grow wildly. Isolated from the wall of synth, McGuire shows craft and melodic assurance throughout the tape. Once the more drone layered...
continue reading "Mark McGuire - Tidings"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
In the great trilogy of the new guitar movement in America in the 1960’s, three names immediately come to mind: John Fahey, Leo Kottke and Robbie Basho. The extreme short of it is that Fahey was the deepest, Kottke was the craftsman and Basho was the mystic. If these narrow definitions ring ...
continue reading "Robbie Basho - Bonn Ist Suprem (Bo’Weevil)"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
Not Not Fun has certainly come up as a label in the last few years and this LP seems to be the pinnacle of their work thus far. Christina Carter (of Charalambides fame) has always been a personal favorite of mine. Her voice has a depth and wisdom that transcends the trappings of the “psyche/folk” genre...
continue reading "Christina Carter/Pocahaunted - LP (Not Not Fun)"
by STEVE LOWENTHAL
Swingset Magazine was started in 2001 by Steve Lowenthal and Sheila Refael as a vehicle to explore various forms of music, art and literature. The website is a further examination into these worlds and a more frequent way to communicate. Managed by Chris O’Neal the site will continue to develop new content and features as well as provide an online resource for our archives. Stay tuned.
Editor: Steve Lowenthal
Art Director: Chris O’Neal
Arts Editor: Paul Gillis
Swingset
532 Laguardia Place #102
New York, NY 10012
continue reading "About Swingset Magazine"
by CHRIS O'NEAL
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Ecstatic Peace has been an increasingly prolific label in the last few years. Their releases can sometimes be staggeringly diverse; The Rita is putting out harsh “wall noise” cassettes, MV/EE do their Neil Young thing on the CDs while teen pop punks and Emil fucking Beaulieau are...
The new Pink Reason 7” on Woodsist features another slab of downer campfire drug ballad in the form of “Winona” on the A-side. The track sounds as solid as the material as their debut full length from last year. Just acoustic guitar, depressed vocals, and minimal home...
Early Worm is a transfixingly lo-fi recording of the first to tape experiments by Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV figurehead Genesis P-Orridge. Recorded in his parents attic in 1968 in suburban England, P-Orridge and his group of local teenage freaks, weaned on a...
When it comes down to it the New Blockaders are the most absurd of all the original U.K. noise artists. Led by Richard Rupenus, what exactly the New Blockaders are remains a bit of a mystery. Often times he sends source sounds to others to manipulate...