Modern Convenience - Demo - Ummmm, there's something here, but it might be a little too artsy for our staff's tastes. Or too deconstructed. Or something.
Truth be told, this was another example of a couple songs sounding really good over tinny little computer speakers via a myspace page. Then the CD came in and well, it didn't sound quite as good.
Maybe it would sound great to you though. Who can say, really? This guy is from Memphis so next time you're there, check out a show for yourself. (www.myspace.com/modernconvenienceu)
Modern Day Rippers - Demo 2010 - We got this demo last year from the MDR fellas and I believe this evolved into their debut full-length, "Rip It Up in a Modern Way" on Machete Records. This is one of those bands whose tunes give you the impression that while they talk it, they do indeed walk it as well. Although "walking it" in this case leads you to write songs like "I Belive in Pills", "Liquor Store Blues" and "Abortion (I'm a)". (As a parenthetical aside, that parenthetical aside of (I'm a) really cracks me up).
This is bad news rock and roll for bad news times. But sometimes, that feels so right, doesn't it? Go check these wastoids out live. Only, for goodness sake, go straight home after the show.
(As a final parenthetical aside, the lead singer kind of looks like Konnan from WCW, Lucha Libre, etc.) (www.myspace.com/moderndayrippers)
The Negligents - Good Advice - This is a beautiful, yet practically heartbreaking, album. The Negligents bounced around Chicago for years playing tons of shows with tons of bands. Then, they put out this debut full-length and subsequently shut down operations. And if you listen to this album you can certainly hear why. Songs like "Friends of Friends", "Good Advice", "Down Here in Scenetown", "Turn Up the Suck Knob", etc. are just dripping with the frustration, sarcasm, angst, and disappointment that only a band that HAS put in time and effort in ANY scene can know. Yes, being in a band, playing shows and writing music can be truly great, but unfortunately, there comes a time in every band's life span when things start to unravel for any number of reasons.
I have no idea of the specifics of why these guys broke up as a band, but I do know that they managed to crank out a great piece of art before they left which uncannily captured the whole range of thoughts and emotions that go along with shitty gigs, broken gear, dealing with phonies, getting frowned-upon by "tastemakers", crumbling relationships, losing money, aging, et al.
Yes, I realize that this review is making this album sound like a real fucking drag. And if it weren't so well done, the whole thing could have easily descended into a full-on bitch-fest. Instead, the Negligents rail against all the aforementioned bullshit in an honest and unflinching way and deliver a pretty thrilling "Fuck you" to it all before striding off into the sunset.
Seriously, pick this up at http://www.creapo.com/ and give them some good vibes after the fact.
Hey there -
ReplyDeleteMatt forwarded this review to me last night. Thanks for the enjoying the record and taking the time to write about it.
Putting out a 12" , full-length record was the one goal Matt and I had when we started The Negligents back in 1997/1998. Not playing big venues in front of a lot of people...not even a small record deal (although that would have been pretty sweet). We were a couple of guys who spent a lot of time listening to records and just wanted something we could be proud of, and to see something we did in the same record stacks as the bands we were fans of.
However, by the time the record was finally finished, Matt and I had been doing this for more than 10 years with a number of excellent drummers (Nathan, Mike, Chad, Doug, Eric, Bob, and lastly on the album the mighty Caleb). We were honored to have played with each of them. Each of those 10 years certainly weren't filled with crowded Empty Bottle shows or barn-burners at The Mutiny. We certainly gave it a go, though.
I'm happy to report that we're all still friends and that calling it quits had nothing to do with any drama. I'll fully admit to having just a tad of scene-burnout during the time these songs were written, as you mention in the review. I'm sure that played its part in deciding to call it a day. But...at least, and I'm just talking for me personally, I have that LP to hold in my hands and that still feels pretty great...just like I hoped it would back in the beginning. I will always be grateful to Matt and Caleb for making that a reality.
Matt, Caleb and I still have a few boxes of these records so if anyone wants one, there's one with your name on it.
Thanks again
-Ken 'negligent' Shafer
Hey Ken - I just read this (as we've been neglecting this blog for a while) but thanks for responding. I hope the review didn't come off too negative about how things wrapped up for the Negligents, because after all, I don't even know you guys really although I assume we met at some point. Anyway, I meant for nothing else but to compliment the record. Anyway, anyway, hope thangs are good with you all and as an aside, I just put "Caramel Well" on a cool-rock-tunes CD for a friend o' mine.
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