It List: Thursday

AIDS Wolf/Teenage Cool Kids/Orange Coax/Secret Bangs (Club Dada): Aids Wolf once described themselves in an interview as "a little bit no wave and a little bit hardcore," and if you're searching for the most concise way to accurately describe their sound, that's probably as good as it gets. People often seem to throw out comparisons to Arab on Radar, Lightning Bolt and the Locust when describing Aids Wolf's music, and although these are all accurate on certain levels, you can also hear hints of a lot of other stuff in there as well-- everything from the Germs to Teenage Jesus and the Jerks to some of the most arresting moments of Sun Ra's output. Of course, none of these references really hit home when it comes to describing the totality of this band's thrashing, atonal attack, but instead provide some parameters for readers to imagine what some strange amalgamation of the aforementioned artists would sound like. I've read all kinds of different reviews on their latest record, Cities of Glass, and although it appears that some of these writers would completely disagree with me, I think it is the most accessible record of their careers. Do I mean to say that Club Dada's Wilco loving regulars will dig it? No way. But the record leans decidedly closer to the lil' bit hardcore side than I think the band ever has before, and the small doses of cohesive rhythm that seem to creep into the tracks as a result is really a pretty welcome development. Again, Aids Wolf sounds crazy as fuck, and could in no way be considered hardcore, but the little touches of 1st wave American are just right. Oh and by the way, I'm thrilled that I got the privilege of seeing Secret Bangs and Orange Coax last Friday at our part. Both were fantastic. And yeah yeah, I know Orange Coax is on our label, but fuck it: they put on one of the best local shows I've seen all year. You can choose not to believe me if you want, but don't cut off your nose to spite your face, ok?

80's Night with DJ G (Hailey's)