Recently, Zachary Rogers has been documenting live punk sets in Birmingham.
AMBIENT WITCHCRAFT: Minerals - Gloaming
It’s easy to wallow in darkness. If you’re aiming to lurch through abominable muck, there are droves of records to suit your needs. Gloaming however, is of a higher caliber. The seven compositions on Minerals’ debut are crafted with a medley of nontraditional instruments; conjuring a collection of atmospheric passages that haunt as well as inspire. Hope lingers at the edge of spectral melodies, just as the dawn can creep through somber woodland. When caught in a dismal fog, Gloaming is a suitable meditative companion.
NEW NOISE: Fake Tyrants - S/T
Fake Tyrants have plenty of room to unleash a sonic onslaught, but instead chose a more refined approach. There’s a definitive thunder in their music, but it serves to underscore their nervous swagger. The restraint used, when they could easily be annihilating their instruments, creates urgent, infectious punk-rock. The rumble on their debut album facilitates a vehicle for social commentary that’s easily danceable if you’re not too caught up clenching your fists.
Fake Tyrant's S/T album is out now on Social Cancer. Grab a copy here.
NEOTERIC AMBIENCE: Balcony View - Technological Eschatology
Balcony View has been a mainstay in Birmingham’s experimental scene for the last half decade. The sole mastermind behind the project, J. C. Bridges has brought a rich diversity to the local DIY community both by offering his expansive soundscapes to eclectic show-bills or curating events featuring traveling artists from around the country.
Bridges’ employs a variety of techniques and instrumentation to create his music. If almost by a stroke of magic he can manipulate a guitar with a bow or loop ambient chimes to create haunting drones. As he constantly toys with his approach, it’s hard to predict the means in which Bridges’ will craft his work. On Technological Eschatology, Balcony View’s music was conceptualized with “source sounds generated using analog and digital synthesizers, violin and magnetic tape manipulation”. It’s a fantastic album that will find you well during meditative evenings.
Balcony View begins tour today to in support of Technological Eschatology, out now on Step Pepper Records.
10/15 Macon, GA
10/17 Valdosta, GA
10/19 Atlanta, GA
10/21 Nashville, TN
10/22 Louisville, KY
10/23 Lexington, KY
10/24 Dayton, OH
10/25 Columbus, OH
10/26 Mansfield, OH
10/27 Detroit, MI
10/28 Toronto, ON
10/30 Brooklyn, NY
10/31 Brooklyn, NY
11/1 Philadelphia, PA
11/2 Baltimore, MD
11/3 Richmond, VA
11/4 Charlotte, NC
11/5 Chattanooga, TN
IN PICTURES: Birds In Row + Attendees 10/02/16 @ Desert Island Supply Co.
Jaysen Michael captured photos of France's Birds In Row's performance October 2nd at Desert Island Supply Company as well as some snap shots of those in attendance. Other acts that evening included sets from Frameworks, Joyboy, and Backyard Camping.
STARK DEFIANCE: Laughing Sword - Demo
Laughing Sword's demo paints a bleak picture. Upon its beginning, the music’s tone is immediately stark. There’s a certain rattling quality that while being caustic, is also very catchy. The offering here is one of frustration –the compositions are classic punk that have been smeared with a dreadful muck. If you need a soundtrack for stomping around on a bad day, this demo is a fitting choice. Take solace in the fact that there are other freaks out there and they’re being dealt a shit-hand, just like you.
anti-matter / nothing matter / nauseation / fumigation
Jon and Corey of Laughing Sword performing with a previous effort, Deism.
NOW PLAYING: Null's Spectra Sonic Sound Session
RAW BANGER: Heavy User - Demo
This past winter I was lucky enough to catch Heavy User's first show. As the initial notes of their set rang out, a basement packed with degenerates* went wild. While some bands may fumble their inaugural performance, Heavy User commanded the room with ease. One young punk in attendance worked themselves up into such a frenzy they over-exerted themselves into a regurgitative spell.
Heavy User's demo is out now! It's a pummeling deceleration about being fed-up. Equal parts retaliative and antagonistic, this demo is the perfect soundtrack for putting jocks and creeps in their place. Driving d-beat rhythms lay the foundation for pissed guitar riffs and searing vocals. Grab a copy while you can.
*We here at DIY Birmingham self-identify as degenerates. We use the word in a loving tone.
NEW RAGER: Fad - Demo 2016
Just in time for their Summer tour (dates are listed below), Fad has dropped a 2016 demo. It's been two years since their last recorded offering so we're quite happy to have something to listen at home after countless killer shows in Birmingham over the past few seasons. Their most recent demo finds Fad delving further into angsty punk-rock that's snotty and unapologetic. Moody keyboards weigh-out alongside ripping guitar riffs and a furious rhythm section. Get with it.
FRESH RIPPER: Snake Church - Demo
This demo is a total rager! Snake Church is one of Birmingham's newer punk outfits and they execute a raucous style of hardcore with haphazard precision. They play around town quite often and their sets are always killer. Be sure to scope out our calendar to see when they're performing next.
THICK LP: Null - Sleep Walking Days
Null’s latest offering is their most honed effort to date. The six compositions on Sleepwalking Days exude a nuanced maturity that drones on themes of disdain, doubt, and awakening. Null’s most recent foray aims to blow out your stereo speakers.
Sleepwalking Days is available on cassette via Social Cancer, on vinyl via IFB and can be streamed on Spotify.
GLOOMY VIDEO: Black Hole Kids live @ Saturn
On April 15 Black Hole Kids performed at Saturn with Man or Astro-Man?, Fad and All People. Video by Jaysen Michael.
FRESH VIDEO: Dommel Mosel - "Better Routines"
New video by Dommel Mosel for the song"Better Routines" from his upcoming album titled 'Sweet Boy'.
IN PHOTOS: DIY Bham Prom 2016
Photos taken by: Hayley Grimes, David A. Smith/DSmithScenes, & Tino
TIGHT VIDEO: Plains Premieres "Oh Camina"
Plains just released a new music video on Impose! Check the sunny good vibes above and read the interview here.
Are You Going To Prom?
Did you go to DIY Birmingham's Prom last year? It was one of the biggest parties we've ever hosted and against our best judgement, we are gonna do it again! This year's theme is "A Fools Parade Masquerade". What makes Prom worth your while, you may ask? Well for starters, all the bands do cover sets of pop songs. This year's lineup is Plains, Dirty Lungs, King Magnum
& Pipe w/ special guest Sage Williams (doing a R&B & hip hop set!). MC for the evening will be none other than DJ Everything Happens For A Reason. This is a formal affair so dress up and you'll surely be in the running for prom king or queen. Here are some highlights last year's tomfoolery.
VIDEO: Happenin Fest 2016 Promo
Happenin Fest is right around the corner, April 1st and 2nd. Check out the lineup and RSVP here.
NEW MUSIC: Rollo - "Rollo"
New bedroom rock n roll jams by Tony Hernandez aka Rollo.
IN PICTURES: Underground Dance Music Night at The Firehouse
IN PICTURES: Bernie Sanders Comes to Birmingham
DIY Birmingham endorses Bernie Sanders! Last Saturday, January 16th, we hosted a huge benefit show at Saturn. With some of Bham's best local bands, we packed out the place and raised over $1,500 for the campaign. That following Monday, Bernie visited Boutwell Auditorium with over 7,100 attendees. Birmingham is definitely feeling the Bern. Photos by Wes Frazer. See more of his stuff at www.wesfrazer.org.
