BOX OF 7"s: Episode 8

LIMP WRIST - s/t
Parology Recs., 2001

Maybe you didn't know, but Limp Wrist are America's preeminent gay hardcore band. Martin picked up the pieces of Los Crudos and ran with them, creating another exciting, unusual band.
There's a lot to discuss, socially and politcally, here. I won't waste your time on a conversation you've most likely had, but I would like to hear a new record from Limp Wrist now, amidst all the DADT crap and California's Prop. 8 and all the racist legislation that's coming out of Arizona.
Martin! Where are you guys? Another decade's worth of gay American youth needs you!




MAKE UP - Substance Abuse
Time Bomb Records, 1996

The title song on this little slab of wax is probably the greatest thing this great band ever put down. I have listened to it countless times and it never gets old. I used to play it when I dj'd and I still listen to it now. The recording is exactly how it should sound and everything comes through. The desperate howl, the urgent bass line, funky drumming, the fun of using drugs! "You have got to take the time, to consider what the substance is for."
I know that the Make Up were white belted hipsters and everyone liked to point and make fun, but when they played everyone paid attention. That's what counts and they were awesome. It goes like that when most of the band is made up of most of Nation of Ulysses.



MARKED MEN - She Won't Know b/w Nothing's Changed
Shit Sandwich, 2005

Of all the great bands that Texas has given us, these guys fall somewhere in the Top 20 of All Time and the Top 10 for me. Besides SA's Big Drag and maybe a few others, no one does power pop as good as these guys. When they started, I was doubtful because I liked the Reds, a previous iteration featuring most of the same dudes, way too much. After the first Marked Men album, I was all like "The Reds? Who's that?" Just kidding. The Marked Men will live forever and this little piece of gold is a good illustration why.

BOX OF 7"s: Episode 7

Hello again...



INHALANTS - s/t
Unclean Records, 1993

Not the fun party accessory, but a fine single from the garage rock factory here in Austin, TX. Unclean Records released a number of fine Central Texas product, like Glorium, the Hamicks, and the Sons of Hercules. I didn't get my hands on it until a few years after its release, when the Inhalants had already broken up. I never got to see them. At one point, they were crazy enough to hire wild drummer Chris Hernandez, who, I'm sure, talked his way into that position like a smooth criminal. Then, all of Austin moved to Seattle.
I like this one, as it includes the awesome "Misanthrope", which sounds like a song X would pull out for an encore.
As luck would have it, some time later, Lisa from the Inhalants would later get a roommate. That roommate would figure in our next two bands....




THE JEWWS - I Need Your Lovin'
Alien Snatch Recs., 2001(?)

The Jewws have a cemented a place in my heart. As far as rock music goes, Houston has produced none better than the Jewws. Their Heartbreaker 10" (with Omari's brother keeping the beat)is so awesome. I have seen them countless times. I still wish they were together. The snotty, spastic loudness hooks me every time. Rebecca's thick, red mane still shimmers! Omari's sneer shines in the night! Matt's striped shirt reminds me of his other striped shirt! Seriously, if you haven't already introduced yourself to the wonders of this band, please do. Check the video below.


During the time of the Jewws, I got to know them and still do to this day. They are all awesome. You should try and find that Heartbreaker 10".
Of course, two Jewws were also in...





JUNIOR VARSITY - Bam Bam Bam!
Twist Like This, 2000

"If I was a pizza, I'd be a slice of cheese.."
How could you turn down a record with a line like that? You couldn't and neither did I. It's no secret that I like cute stuff, and this is that with charm for days. In a feat of engineering genius, they managed to squeeze an entire album onto this 7". How so?
Even though JV pines for the creaky old 50s, this sounds fresh and sprightly. Yet another band out of Houston I wish would still play (and two more Texans lost to Washington!). I'm going to listen to it again, while I eat Wheat Chex. Oh, here are some cute pics of JV playing at an elementary school!



See you soon!