“It’s a Mess” is a podcast that sandwiches some of our favorite garage jams, L.A. local bands, and a few guests between dick jokes and giggles.
In this week’s installment, the boys are joined by two guests (booking mishap). The first, an old podcast fixture, Mr. Thom Seiniger. The second is way more famous and probably better in bed: Mr. Alan Alda. Somewhere in there, they play a few sweet-ass tunes.
Here are this week’s noises: Peach Kelli Pop - “Doo Wah Diddy” (Peach Kelli Pop) Veronica Falls - “Found Love in a Graveyard” (Veronica Falls) Manic Attracts - “Suicide Summer” (Eyes Wide Shut) Sic Alps - “Breadhead” (Breadhead 7”) Manikin - “First React” (Stop the Sirens)
End Bumper (as always): Vera Lynn - “Goodnight, Wherever You Are”
E-mail us comments, praise, questions, concerns, praise, suggestions and booking at: itsamesspodcast@gmail.com.
Wet Illustrated come from the same San Francisco scene that’s spearheaded by the likes of The Fresh & Onlys, Thee oh Sees and Sic Alps, so it’s not hard to understand that they would take influence from their garage/psych style of play. Wet Illustrated do use those styles as a foundation, but don’t completely embody them. “Gypsy Town”, from their upcoming LP 1x1x1, shimmers with sprawling, bombastic guitar lines that don’t flow in a unified direction, but end up in the right place. It’s like a post 90’s Sonic Youth song mixed with the pop sensibilities of Television Personalities. As weird as that may seem, it totally works.
Sic Alps’ latest 7”, Breadhead, was my introduction to the group. Descriptions of them and their name told me they were likely a garage rock band, though a tinge of worry arrived when I realized they were signed to Drag City. I’ve always held umbrage with many of the label’s top-tier acts, feeling their music lacked energy or passion. But the inclusion of guest spots by John Dwyer, Matthew Melton, and Ty Segall gave me hope that this group would pack more of a punch than their peers.
While Breadhead is undeniably garage music, stripped down and fuzzy, with glimpses of brass and swagger, the raw elements are restrained, failing to rise to the surface. For some, that may just be the appeal of Sic Alps and much of the Drag City roster: their subtle and subdued approach. For me, it simply fails to connect. The songs are enjoyable enough while they’re happening, but once they end, nothing lingers in the mind.
But don’t just take my word for it. Stream the title track of Breadhead below and grab a copy of the four-song EP from Drag City. You can also get the even newer EP, Battery Townsley, plus Sic Alps’s full-length from earlier this year, Napa Asylum. If nothing else, I respect how prolific they are.
If you thought the 22 track LP Napa Asylum was the only thing San Francisco’s Sic Alps were releasing this year, then get ready to be left in the dust. “Breadhead” is the title track of Sic Alps’ latest Drag City released EP, which features guest appearances from some of The Bay Area’s finest: John Dwyer, Ty Segall and Matthew Melton. The EP contains 2 more original tracks plus a Bob Marley cover. If you haven’t been left in the dust yet, Sic Alps also have another 7” slated for a September release entitled Battery Townsley, which will also be released via Drag City. Catch your breath and trip out to “Breadhead” below.
It was raining for most of today. There’s just something about this kind of weather that makes me want to curl up and zone out to some jams. Featured is Thee Oh Sees, Heavy Cream, Lost Sounds, TV Colours, and Violent Femmes amongst many other rainy day faves. Tracklist after the cut.
Ty Segall’s back from tour and plans to resume touring with the Sic Alps! This is some great news — though, to offset this great tidbit, one must also note that Matt Hartman and Noel Von Harmonson (founding members of the Sic Alps) are taking their leave. Ty will rejoin his old band as of August 19th. After that, he’ll be touring the U.S. with Mikal Cronin… but don’t worry, we’ll let you know all about that when the time comes! Tour dates after the cut.
The appropriate way to listen to this album is to place it on repeat and never turn it off. With a lengthy 22 songs of pure enjoyment, you won’t have any reason to. In fact, the thought probably won’t even cross your mind. Released back in January on Drag City, who are totally on a role right now, this album marked what was destined to be a great year in music, and they certainly got the party started the right way. Switching between jangly distorted electric guitars to soft acoustic riffs and seemlessly layering one over the other to create a perfect harmony, some of the tunes are more noisy then others, but they all maintain a level of catchiness that sucks you in and doesn’t let go.
These guys have a number of tour dates coming up within the next couple months that should allow most of you to get out and see them. In fact, I may head to Wilco’s music festival, Solid Sound, to see them. For all of you overseas listeners, they are playing a good ten shows throughout Europe as well so go check that shit out! If you are really ignorant enough to have not already added this album to your collection, then you simply don’t know what you are missing. Go get it, jackass!
Watch their video for “Do You Want To Give $$?” below.
