"Punk In Africa" DVD (directors: Keith Jones and Deon Maas)

Superb look at African subculture

This thought-provoking and enlightening documentary traces the evolution of the underground music movement in Africa, from the anti-apartheid rock acts of the early 70s through multiracial punk and hardcore acts of the 80s, and into the modern day.

Obviously a labor of love, "Punk In Africa" is a comprehensive look at the beginnings of "punk" idealism in South Africa and Zimbabwe, where political dissent often leads to police harassment or worse. Bands like Suck, Safari Suits, and Kalahari Surfers were progenitors of modern day African music, melding Western styles with African attitudes and issues. "Punk In Africa" is packed to the hilt with old video footage and tons of interviews with those involved in this scene. It's a beautiful and inspiring look at a punk scene that isn't given the credit it deserves.

I was particularly fascinated how the music itself had developed, with present-day acts like Evicted or Fruits and Veggies being amalgamations of traditional African sounds with Western rock. But beyond styles, it's refreshing to see how music and the arts are still challenging the status quo in Africa, and are continually confronting political issues in these troubled countries. 

A superb documentary, and one anyone remotely interested in underground music should see. 

MVD Visual

Punk In Africa site

DeeperNET - "One" CD

Top-shelf electronica

Portland, Oregon-based sound designer Andrew Miles here presents his debut release, as DeeperNET, and it's a well-done mix of trance techno and ambient electronica. Opening with the 9-minute deep goa pulses of "Elementary Particles", the psy-trance elements of "Mind At Large" even harbor some industrial elements alongside the steady 4/4 beats and celestial sequences.

"The Eagle Has Landed" is a nearly 9-minute techno-goa beast, while "Tiny Paper Squares" is another insistent rhythmic pulse, with percolating analogue sequences and intricate programming. "Moksha" opens with a lovely deep-space ambiance, and "Neptune" is darkened black light electro that would fit perfectly well on a club floor sandwiched between Front Line Assembly and some hypnotic trance thumper.

"One" is a perfectly realized album of extended deep club cuts that don't approach any outward commerciality, thankfully. Miles' powerful and clean electro-trance is dark, edgy, and more than enjoyable to these (usually) jaded ears.

Spotted Peccary

DeeperNETbook

Beer: Hacker-Pschorr Hubertus Bock

HACKER-PSCHORR HUBERTUS BOCK (Munich, Germany) - 4.25 (exceptional)

This exquisite and limited German brew pours a fairly light golden-amber in my Hacker-Pschorr stein. Head of carbonation is substantial and lace is lovely and detailed.

Aroma is toasty grains, with a tinge of caramel and bread. Maybe a bit of citrus in there, too. Definitely appealing.

Flavor is more of the same -- toasty bread, yeast, and caramel malts. A hint of hoppy citrus arrives just around the finish, making this a delightful and well-rounded brew. Superb and well worth finding.

As well, be on the lookout for other limited seasonal brews for US distribution from Hacker-Pschorr: May 2014 will bring Sternweisse (an amber-hued wheat beer), July 2014 brings Festbier (a golden lager), and coming in November is Animator (a heavy doppelbock).

Many thanx to Charles Stanley at Paulaner HP USA for the sample, info, and swag! Prost!

Hacker-Pschorr dot com

"All The Labor" DVD (director: Doug Hawes-Davis)

Gourd bless...

This feature-length documentary on Austin, TX-based roots/Americana band the Gourds serves as an audio-visual love letter to the band. As well, it's a perfect introduction to a band that's survived nearly 20 years and released armfuls of albums, yet has never made it to that "next level". I'm almost embarrassed to mention that I'd never heard this group before, either.

Recorded at home and on stage with the band, "All The Labor" shows the obvious love these guys have for each other and the music itself. Despite a feverish (yet small) fan base, these guys continue on without much promise of "the big payoff". Love of the music is their drive, and that's certainly admirable and noble. So what's it like? Imagine alt.country Americana, with a sense of humor and an almost jam-band like predilection for extended improv, and you're close. The Gourds are great showmen, and project energy, charisma, and passion as well or better than so-called "national" touring acts I've seen. 

"All The Labour" is well-filmed, inspiring, and an enlightened portrait of a band with their hearts in the music. Worth a look, for sure.

High Plains Films via MVD Visual

Gourds dot com

Lou Reed - "Tribute" 3xDVD box set

Shameless cash-in, some worthy info

Another opportunistic repackaging from Pride DVD, this set includes 3 previously-released (unlicensed) documentaries featuring Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. With Lou's passing making recent headlines all over the world, this re-release, however worthy, is still rather shamefully mercenary.

The first DVD, "Punk Revolution NYC", focuses on the 1966-1974 New York proto-punk scene -- The Velvet Underground, New York Dolls, and CBGB's feature most prominently. Also discussed are Television, Suicide, Wayne County, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, and Andy Warhol's influence on the scene. Many of the original artists are interviewed, alongside the usual critics and journalists. This 87-minute film includes a great many historic videos and photos, and with the insights of the artists' themselves, it all makes for a superb portrait.

The next disc is "The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou 1971-1973", examining the personal and artistic symbiosis that went on between these rock legends in that era. I've already reviewed this release, on it's own, back in 2010:

http://goatsend.blogspot.com/2010/11/sacred-triangle-bowie-iggy-lou-1971.html

Finally, the remaining DVD in the set is "The Velvet Underground: Under Review". This one covers the band's entire existence and all major releases, and features archival interviews with most VU members and colleagues, as well as Andy Warhol, historians, journalists, and even fans like Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna). With plenty of live footage and photos, this is probably the closest we'll ever get to a comprehensive documentary on the Velvet Underground and their legacy.

So despite serious fans likely already having these volumes, "Tribute" does include some worthwhile material, and could be a good bargain for those who didn't already purchase  these DVDs individually.

Lou Reed dot com

Bells Into Machines promo teaser

Classic Wax Trax! fans rejoice -- for coming soon, Bells Into Machines will be releasing their double-CD debut. What's Bells Into Machines? Gentleman Chris Connelly fronts the band, alongside old mates Paul Barker (Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Lead Into Gold, etc.), Lee Popa (Pigface), and others.

Check this video promo sampling several cuts, and visit their websites:
BIM FB

BIM dot com

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Rational Youth - "Live 1983" 2xCD

Synthpop resuscitation

Rescued from cassette oblivion by electro-industrial label ArtOfFact and Rational Youth synth keyboardist Kevin Komoda, this double-set captures the Canadian synthpop pioneers at the height of their powers, in 2 shows from Winnipeg and Ottawa.

The first disc is the Winnipeg set, and it contains 15 tracks of electro-pop that's as well-done as anything out there of it's era. Having no previous experience with this influential group (shame on me), I hear pretty much what I'd expect --  synths, live drums and guitars, and sensitive, melodic vocals. Regional hits like "Dancing On The Berlin Wall" or "Holidays In Bangkok" sound crisp and clean, and as with all of this disc, it's of a superb recording quality. 

The second disc is "Live In Ottawa", and though it features a similar set as the Winnipeg disc, it's also a superb archival recording, somewhere between audience bootleg and soundboard quality. 

Rational Youth's music is best compared to their peers, Vancouver synthpop darlings Images In Vogue (who gained notoriety for opening a show for Duran Duran and for giving Kevin Crompton a boost towards his Skinny Puppy future). Sadly, Rational Youth never achieved the status of notoriety of IIV, and they remain but a footnote in Canadian pop music history. For fans, this is a must-hear set, and for unfamiliar listeners like myself, it's a good education.

Artoffact Records / Storming The Base

Rational Youth site