Summer of the Nephilim

If you are wondering why I haven't been blogging as much this summer, it is because I have become addicted to staying up late at night watching music videos on youtube instead of discussing my opinions on stuff.  Sometimes I need to take time to absorb things in culture instead of forcing myself to write about the same things I have already discussed.

For about a month straight I have been completely obsessed with Fields of the Nephilim.  They make me feel warm and fuzzy in that "favorite band" way that only Sonic Youth, Skinny Puppy, or Bauhaus does for me.  I've never really had just a single favorite band.

Their music touches me in a way that is difficult to define.  I feel like if the inside of me turned itself into songs, a lot of those songs would be Fields of the Nephilim songs.  Almost every one of their songs is like some kind of intense epic and I feel like I have to go out and do something noteworthy after listening.  It makes me want to dance around and jump on couches and wear black winklepickers and change the world.

Carl McCoy's raspy, deep voice sounds like he eats nails for breakfast. Some people compare his vocals to Andrew Eldritch of Sisters of Mercy, but I find Carl McCoy's voice to be a lot rougher and more distinctive, although they do both have that guttural gothy thing going on.  It kind of made me want to laugh at first, but then I found it incredibly sexy.  Also, Tony Pettitt is one of the best bass players I have ever heard. If you watch their music videos you see that they are also pretty funny guys at times, like when Carl McCoy's head sings "my heeeeeead" inside of a cauldron in the music video for "Blue Water". 

Interview on MTV 120 minutes: 1990



I can't find the Dawnrazor album of theirs that I used to have, and I'm going through withdrawal until I can afford to order it from ebay or amazon (because I know just that album won't be enough and I'll also have to order all of their other albums and probably a DVD). 

I also can't stop watching their music videos or googling and ogling pictures of Carl McCoy circa 1988-1991...all dusted up with flour like some kind of...dusty, dark cowboy of my dreams. 


Found via some broken link on googleimages.


madameguillotine.org.uk

Here is a partial list of their videos/songs for your viewing and/or listening pleasure.  What are some of your favorite Fields of the Nephilim songs?:

Moonchild: http://youtu.be/BYYy862KFyE
Blue Water: http://youtu.be/FS5RPJQVh-Q
Preacher Man: http://youtu.be/hsSFR43Z600
Dust: http://youtu.be/0UbiNKU227Y
Volcane: http://youtu.be/3g9QMveE-oA
Love Under Will: http://youtu.be/VzVIMLf0CfM
For Her Light: http://youtu.be/6OrsxYevlgw
Last Exit for the Lost: http://youtu.be/G8NMayki4Uc
Slow Kill: http://youtu.be/tJ1oRmHsJcc
Power: http://youtu.be/K70OSjPsWAo
Dawnrazor: http://youtu.be/3juNmWr_EbY
At the Gates of Silent Memory: http://youtu.be/UcdotRkKPmY
Secrets: http://youtu.be/PJXRYqHy7Zo
Reanimator: http://youtu.be/Olr5OwldYdE
Sumerland: http://youtu.be/NCMm1mJ3DRs
Wail of Sumer & And There Will Your Heart Be Also: http://youtu.be/GNTH1rhJTLo
The Sequel: http://youtu.be/uLMJLpn_JMY
Burning the Fields: http://youtu.be/gSaPDIwC8UM
Psychonaut: http://youtu.be/-dUyc1wR-h0

Gothy Sampler

If you are seeking to discover/rediscover some bands that are somewhat gothy, you have come to the right place.  Here I have compiled a sampler where you can watch videos and hear songs from other bands besides just the usual suspects: Bauhaus, The Smiths, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Christian Death, Joy Division, and The Cure (who are all great, but I'm sure you already know them).

There is no set-in-stone definition of what goth is, so of course this list is debatable.  Over the years goth has become a lame, watered-down, cartoonized version of itself that no one really wants to be associated with anymore.  But to me, "real" goth is primarily about the following things: fearlessness, making society uncomfortable with gender bias (through dressing in drag/S&M/female domination), valuing personal satisfaction above convention, transcending the body, confronting fear of death and fear of judgement from others, and pointing out society's proclivity to value ignorance and fake happiness over genuine complexity of emotion.  Goth is very similar to punk in that it is an outright rejection of a society that alienates pretty much everyone in it.  It is a middle finger in the face of a system that tries to regulate and neuter your desires.  Like any subculture, goth isn't perfect, but for many people it serves as a creative outlet, a lifestyle, and an alternative to going along just to get along.

"...the consummate Goth strategy of resistance: absolute masochistic submission. Unlike the majority of Punks, who seemingly accept the identities gender and sexuality codes impose, wishing only to restyle them to reflect their rejection of consumer capitalism, Goths not only reject them all but express their rejection through a defiantly eroticized passive resistance. In effect, they fling themselves at the feet of their tormentors and say, 'do what you please to me, I will enjoy it' and so transform punishment into triumph."

--Siegel, Carol. Goth's Dark Empire.

Here you will find a variety of goth and semi-gothish music.  I had to search back in the "archives" in order to remember some of these bands, which entailed: looking through old mix tapes, checking out lists of bands on compilation CDs I have, jogging my memory thinking about what I taped from friends back in high school, reminiscing about tapes I used to have that were eaten by my tape player, looking up other goth band lists on the internet, and trying to remember some of what I ordered from Projekt, Cleopatra, and WaxTrax catalogs.
 

In this sampler you won't find much cybergoth, medieval-themed goth, goth metal, instrumental music, or bands like Blutengel and Cruxshadows because I am just not that big of a fan.  In addition, I don't have the attention span to sit through most neo-classical goth songs without falling asleep.  Different music speaks to different people.  As you will see, I have a strong preference towards what some might call "post-punk" or "death rock", and I think early darkwave synthpop is criminally underrated. 

Instead of posting the actual youtube videos for each of these songs, I will just post direct links you can click on because this list is quite long.  I hope you discover something that makes it into your music collection if it isn't there already...

Clan of Xymox: "Obsession": http://youtu.be/sHH71eHS7rg 
Clan of Xymox are not only fantastic, but also seem like the nicest goths ever. 

In the Nursery: "Iskra": http://youtu.be/MB3neXX-qGk
In the Nursery's "Counterpoint" album used to be my jam when I cleaned my room.  At first this song sounds like it is being sung by a masturbating gorilla, then it becomes progressively more awesome.

Fields of the Nephilim: "Moonchild": http://youtu.be/ZEzmOAoovWU
Carl McCoy=gothic Lone Ranger?  I must say, he has one of the sexiest voices.
The Stranglers: "Nice n Sleazy": http://youtu.be/OYqllpnyWrY
Love the song title.  McDonalds should offer the "Nice n Sleazy" as an alternative to the Big n Tasty sandwich.  Watch out for the special sauce.  This band doesn't necessarily look or sound "goth" but they appear on a lot of goth band lists.

Fad Gadget: "Collapsing New People": http://youtu.be/tGplqi8GWZE
My friend Chad gave me the Fad Gadget "Under the Flag" cassette tape in high school.  Interesting stuff.  This video can be filed very neatly into the WTF folder of your mind.

Sisters of Mercy: "Black Planet": http://youtu.be/x6Oh4aaLCFM 
I'm waiting any day now for Sisters of Mercy to come rescue me in their gothmobile.
Specimen:  "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang": http://youtu.be/rOPEIMpJQ4A 
If you "get" Specimen, then you realize how much fun it is to see a man knock slutshaming back on its own ass by exploiting his own whorishness.

Lycia: "Ionia": http://youtu.be/Tigi-_oyhNA 
I mail ordered one of their tapes from the Projekt catalog back in the day and at first I thought it was boring, but eventually it grew on me.  This song and "Pray" are my favorite Lycia songs.

Cabaret Voltaire: "Sensoria": http://youtu.be/RkfzXq0tA3c
An early influence on industrial music; electronic creepiness and hardcore sexiness.  Stephen Mallinder is so oddly attractive I feel like staring at his face for hours.  Also, "I Want You" by this group is probably the funkiest song you will hear, and you won't be able to stop singing the chorus to yourself.
Attrition: "Shrinkwrap": http://youtu.be/cNyuDklF-F8 
I love the lyrics to this song and how the singer sounds like a male phone sex operator from Germany.
Skeletal Family: "Promised Land": http://youtu.be/41AqlPjc-Wc 
The first time I heard Skeletal Family I couldn't not dance.  Heroes!
These New Puritans: "Elvis": http://youtu.be/lzHwRcOsDNw 
This band is pretty recent.  Not sure if they would be considered goth-ish by most people, but I think they are.  They are astounding, dark, and strange.  Also love the song "Hologram" by this same band.
UK Decay (postpunk): "Mayday Malady": http://youtu.be/cy0l4XlD0k0
So punk, so goth, so awesome.
Kabuki/Ausgang: "King Hell": http://youtu.be/098iNWqXEak
Amazing, hilarious, handsome musicians with incredible hair.  They also wrote a song about their hair called "My Hair."  I'm going to go blush and faint like a schoolgirl now.
The Wake: "Christine": http://youtu.be/Um_tRg-cGg0 
You were about to be arrested by the gothic museum police, but then they got distracted and fondled the statues.
Zero le Creche: "Last Year's Wife": http://youtu.be/vCesBGH8DQ0
So lovely and anthemic, like a gothic prom song.

Rosetta Stone: "The Witch": http://youtu.be/9CtDErVTsoA 
Their singer is a pretty, pretty man.  I'm not gonna lie--I'm not really into the song.  I just felt like ogling the dude.

Current 93: "All the World Makes Great Blood": http://youtu.be/AV3LGPJnRpI
It was difficult to pick just one song by Current 93 because their musical style is all over the place (in a good way).  I just sort of picked this song at random.  I also really like that one song about the blacksmith, and that other song about the raindrops in May.  Shame on me, I always forget Current 93 song titles.
Trance to the Sun: "Homewrecker": http://youtu.be/I148U2iQvCE 
This song takes my heart out and squeezes it.  Creepy and beautiful.  Also, does the presenter think he is acting in Shakespearean theater...and is that Igor over by the speakers?
Sex Gang Children: "Sebastiane": http://youtu.be/UTgDfSF_2Pk 
Like punk... but with cheesy Halloween makeup and violins.
Killing Joke: "Millenium": http://youtu.be/K1jvrvdQMt8
Killing Joke makes me feel warm and fuzzy, like seeing a friend who I've missed for a long time.
Birthday Party: "Junkyard": http://youtu.be/KvlS4BwTUQw
Nick Cave before the Bad Seeds.  I am amused by his spastic crotch dancing.  I have two Birthday Party albums and I never really listen to them.  I appreciate this music in theory, but when I actually listen to it, it makes my earholes feel violated and in need of a recovery period.

Virgin Prunes: "Pagan Love Song": http://youtu.be/qgoJn5SUa_4 
Get down with your greasy goth mullet, and with your bad self.
The Bolshoi: "Happy Boy": http://youtu.be/0JKVPW-h80E 
Eighties as fuck.
Death in June: "Nothing Changes": http://youtu.be/ACc9897ulUU
Death in June is one of those groups where you never really know what to think or say.  You just kind of feel "wow", whether it's in a positive way towards their music, or in a somewhat confused way towards their pseudo-fascist, militant image. 

Southern Death Cult: "False Faces": http://youtu.be/3lGPSA2U_4E 
Pure and primitive music that doesn't try to be anything but itself.  Ian Astbury before The Cult.

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry: "Heaven": http://youtu.be/r6iydP5NU78 
A song so beautiful and sad it's almost painful to listen to.  Dont' know whether to smile or cry.
.45 Grave: "Concerned Citizen": http://youtu.be/vgJgonJkYgw 
Female-fronted death rock that was around in the early '80s, then reformed recently.

Chris and Cosey: "October Love Song": http://youtu.be/WMLQ4FRsepg 
One of my all-time favorite songs.  This music video is so entertaining--there is a disturbing beast mask, low budget special effects, and S&M stuff going on.    

Six Underrated Bands of the Nineties

Sure, there were plenty of great, influential bands in the nineties such as: Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc. No one ever stops talking about them and I'm grateful for that.  But what about the lesser-known bands who had just as much creative merit and talent, who were not recognized on a grand scale?  Here is my list of six underrated bands of the nineties:

Daisy Chainsaw: Daisy Chainsaw was a one-hit wonder, which is a shame because almost all of their songs are pretty great...well, to me (sadly, I don't think I've ever met any other Daisy Chainsaw fans).  KatieJane Garside's vocals are really distinctive (aggressively sexual, breathy, infantile, and sometimes giggly and maniacal) and the band has this amazing, chaotic/beautiful sound.  KatieJane is gorgeous--she looks like a woman who bakes mud pies and just doesn't give a damn.  The music video for "Love Your Money" on Beavis and Butthead was my introduction to Daisy Chainsaw, and since then I have listened to their Eleventeen album pretty regularly, like probably at least once every few months, and it never gets tiresome.  My favorite Daisy Chainsaw song is "Pink Flower", especially at the end of the song. Too bad I can't embed the video for that one.








Jawbox: I first heard Jawbox on a Dischord music sampler...or maybe on a mix tape, I think;  it was the song "FF=66".  I was pretty blown away by it and bought the album, For Your Own Special Sweetheart, which really impressed me; every song on it was so self-contained and complete.  Normally when I buy an album based on liking one song, all the other songs on the album seem disappointing in comparison.  But Jawbox are pretty solid.  Jawbox sounds like the nineties on steroids, with awesome bass lines and vocal harmonization.   They never wrote anything boring.








Unwound: I discovered Unwound from a Kill Rock Stars compilation that had the song "MKultra" on it.  I admire their disregard for conventional song structure and ability to alternate quietness and LOUDNESS.  My god, they are soooo loud in the best possible way.  I can feel their music vibrating around in my rib cage, and it's so intense it makes me feel like I could explode living room furniture using only the powers of my mind.




Unwound: "Here Come the Dogs"


Refused:  I discovered Refused while watching Headbanger's Ball.  The music video for "New Noise" came on, and when Dennis Lyxzen took the microphone while wearing that adorable little outfit, and shrieked that introductory line of "Can I screeeeeeeaaaaam?!", it felt like he just stole my virginity.  That song and video made my heart palpitate and gave me the urge to jump on my couch and scream "YESSSS!!!!" (in other words, it made me feel like I was in a Mountain Dew commercial), so I bought their albums.  Refused: The Shape of Punk to Come is a masterpiece.  It is a mini-epic.  It even has cellos and stuff.  It's metal--but different.








Shudder to Think:  If you've been reading this blog, you probably already know I am a fan of Shudder to Think, and of the singer, Craig Wedren, in general.  Shudder to Think is an acquired taste, for sure.  They definitely have their own sound, which seems kind of dissonant and unstructured at first but is actually very mathy and deliberate.  The first time I listened to the Pony Express Record, I felt kind of confused, but in a good way... like when a college professor says something profound and you replay it in your head until it makes sense.  Shudder to Think's music is composed of a whole bunch of elements that don't really seem to be cohesive at first, but then halfway through an album you realize it's probably the best thing you've ever heard.

I remember being in high school and seeing a picture of Craig Wedren--I think it was in a magazine, and I stared at it, transfixed.  It was a semi-blurry photo of him standing in front of a microphone leaning forward like he was caught in motion, and I think it was accompanied by an article that said he liked to perform naked sometimes (or maybe I made that up?).  Anyway, I would take this clipping out of my pocket and stare at it a few minutes every day for a few months, and then put it back in my pocket.  I mean, it wasn't even a clear picture, and I would literally just take it out and almost meditate to it.  Yeah, Craig is handsome and all, but seriously, my portable pocket shrine to him went way beyond that.  It was more about inspiration than teenage lust.







Quicksand:  I don't remember where I heard of Quicksand, I can only say that I am a big fan of their music, and I feel disappointed that they weren't given more recognition.  When it comes to inventiveness and musical complexity they completely surpass a lot of the more well-known nineties bands/artists.  I was heavily influenced by them back in high school when I was developing more "grown up" musical tastes.  I think Quicksand's genius is how they managed to embody the '90s zeitgeist (they had that basic nineties sound), but they also incorporated a lot of dissonant solos and instrumental break-downs that really set them apart.  They were both of their time and before their time.  Quicksand is often compared to a lot of other bands, and yes, they do kind of remind me of a mixture between Filter, Tool, and Sonic Youth.  But overall, Quicksand is Quicksand and I like sinking into them (bad pun intended). 

Ifs, Ands, and BUTT SONGS

I just realized something: there are so many songs about butts.  It's pretty unbelievable and also somewhat hilarious.  Here is a virtual mix tape of butt-related tunes.

Virtual Mix Tape: Dark "Love" Songs

I have a goal: to write an incredibly dark, borderline-stalkerish, intense love song that will make people feel both uncomfortable and turned on.  I want it to sound sexy or beautiful, but for people to actually be shocked once they pay attention to the lyrics.  I want it to make people initially be like "Oh wow, that's really intense and passionate--it feels almost personal", but then to read the lyrics and be like "Oh no, that's actually kind of twisted/sad...or is it?"

I wonder what instruments would best compliment such a song.  Maybe a ukelele and the sound of duct tape?  Writing the lyrics should be no problem.

Here are some examples of the kind of song I'm shooting for:

The Toadies: "Possum Kingdom"
Echo and the Bunnymen: "The Killing Moon"
Big Black: "Precious Thing"
Bruce Springsteen: "I'm on Fire"
Black Tambourine: "Throw Aggi Off the Bridge"
Ani Di Franco: "Untouchable Face"
MC5: "I Want You Right Now"
Richard Hell & the Voidoids: "Another World"
PJ Harvey: "To Bring You My Love"
Smog: "Cold Discovery"
The Sisters of Mercy: "Some Kind of Stranger"

Songs I Couldn't Stop Listening To: 2011

As this year comes to an end, it's time to get all reflect-y. One of the major things that I punctuate my life with is music. I can listen to certain albums or songs and they remind me specifically of certain times in my life, or even of particular life events. There were times when I'd listen to alt country for a while, hard core punk, folk for maybe a week, industrial, and towards to end of the year my musical cravings have gotten kind of metal-ish. Here are the songs I couldn't stop listening to in 2011:

Smooth Tutors

I was talking to my ex-boyfriend/best male friend, Zack, today.  He mentioned that the band he plays guitar and handsomely wears glasses for, Smooth Tutors, has some live videos on youtube.com. 

Smooth Tutors are from Pittsburgh.  Check them out, or go to one of their shows if you are in the area! 

Any info to add, Zack? Just let me know and I'll edit this entry and repost.

*These vids are really short.