CHAINLINKS: April 2017

Each month, The Chain's Brandon, Curran and Justin choose guests to share three links of interest each; their picks can be anything that has resonated with them recently, music-related or otherwise. April's contributors include Nikki Sneakers, Luke Henshaw, and Rich Johannes Weinberger.

Nikki Sneakers: 

[Nothing Changes]

1. Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle - Inferno
After a recent re-romance with Preacher I dove back into this - never disappoints. A sci-fi Dante's Inferno meets C.S Lewis's The Great Divorce on acid.

2. Typographische Monatsblätter archive

3. Bel Canto - Shimmering, Warm & Bright (1992)
Essential warm weather listening.

•

Luke Henshaw:

[Planet B]

1. I had a dream a while back that my old band was playing on a boat out in the ocean and we were communicating with a bunch of whales. Maybe I had too much chocolate before bed, but since then I've always been interested in whales and the sounds they make.

Why Do Whales Sing?

2. My son and I are currently working on a project and the theme of it is starting to touch the interiors of existentialism, so I figured I'd do some research.

20 Great Existential Films You Need to Watch

3. Because if I could stay in space for just a little bit longer...

Scientists Developed a Way to Make DMT Trips Last Longer Than Ever

•

Rich Johannes Weinberger: 

[Gatherers (Equal Vision Records)]

1. Thom Yorke - Tomorrow's Modern Boxes

I'm not sure how I managed to procrastinate listening to this for the past three years. It's my favorite 2014 album of 2017.

2. Adrian Tomine - Killing and Dying
In my opinion, one of the best cartoonists of our generation. Tomine is a master at exploring various human conditions often within the span of brief stories and motifs. His illustrations are beautifully intimate and nuanced at the same time.

3. Doris Salcedo - A Flor de Piel

I saw this installation when it came to the Guggenheim a couple years ago. Prior to that, I had never heard of Salcedo's work but quickly became a devout admirer. Every now and then I find myself revisiting this particular work and how it emoted with me the first time I saw it. It was also the first bit of inspiration I experienced in terms of the vibes I ended up exploring on the forthcoming Gatherers record.

PANICKER + No Echo

“Brent Asbury has really good taste. Listening to Panicker—the musician/producer/sound engineer's new solo project—is an almost immersive experience, shuttling from the danceable industrial of vintage Wax Trax! Records to the brooding soundtracks of '80s sci-fi to techno.”

–No Echo

Stream the latest single, Heave, via No Echo, here.

This track is a single off of PANICKER’s debut self-titled LP, which will be available digitally and on random variant vinyl via Three One G Records on April 26th. Preorder here.

PANICKER’s debut seeks to give a voice (sans vocalist) to the anxious emotional state occupied by musician/producer/sound engineer Brent Asbury-- as well as, it seems, society as a whole. The feeling is frightening, all-consuming and urgent, and he captures this well. Tracks such as “Habits” tap into the horror vibe heavily, building tension and yet shifting into upbeat slides and bright accents with fluidity. “Airport” strikes like an alarm signalling for emergency evacuation, yet works in a techno-dance beat that seems welcoming of a jam-packed, sweat-stained party. Pieces like “Morning” use synth lines that could be old friends of a Wendy Carlos composition. Still, where genres may be remiss, the title seems to serve well.

Panicker LP:

1. Commuter
2. Parties
3. Heave
4. Habits
5. Systems
6. Airport
7. Untitled
8. Ataxia
9. Perfume
10. Time

ABRAMS + Metal Injection

"Catchy grooves and soaring vocals."
–Metal Injection

Denver, Colorado trio Abrams has revealed the music video for its song "Burned," today via Metal Injection. 

Watch the video, here:
http://www.metalinjection.net/video/abrams-burned-is-the-heavy-groove-tune-of-the-week

The song, which Metal Injection has named "The Heavy Groove Tune of the Week," appears on Abrams' sophomore album Morning, to be released June 9th on Sailor Records.

Yearning, driving, and bursting with hooks, the ten songs on Morning summon a soulful version of heavy rock akin to Mastodon, Baroness, and Mark Lanegan. Tracks like "Burned" and the recently-premiered "Mourning" (featuring guest vocals by Phil Pendergast of hometown Denver pals Khemmis) are earth-shakers that veer from bittersweetness to defiance to rage. 

Morning was recorded by Andy Patterson (SubRosa, Cult Leader) and Dave Otero (Cobalt, Cattle Decapitation), and was mixed and mastered by Otero.

The cover art and layout are by Samantha Muljat (Earth, Goatsnake).

Look for Abrams on tour all summer.

Further info: 
http://thechainworld.blogspot.com/2017/04/abrams-morning.html

Photo by Chanelle Leslie

BITERS + Loudwire

"That good-natured feel of some of rock's best decades... Biters are cut from the same cloth as iconic acts like Cheap Trick, with a tad of the glitter rock sound made famous by the New York Dolls and T. Rex."
–Loudwire

Atlanta rock n' rollers Biters have teamed with Loudwire to present the exclusive premiere of new single "Let It Roll."

This rockin' call-to-arms is the opening track off the band's sophomore album The Future Ain't What It Used To Be, to be released worldwide via Earache Records on May 19th.

Biters frontman Tuk Smith says of the song, "It's got that 'take on the world' spirit to it and it gets me pumped every time I hear it."

Listen, here:
http://loudwire.com/biters-let-it-roll-exclusive-song-premiere/

"Stomping rock n' roll, sprinkled with stardust" is how Biters have recently been described – the Atlanta-based quartet makes swaggering, stadium-ready anthems in the spirit of the glam, power pop, and hard rock gods of the '70s, from T. Rex to Cheap Trick to AC/DC. 
Indeed, new album The Future Ain't What It Used To Be is packed with some of the catchiest songs of the year – but the magic lies in the attitude behind the hooks. Biters' strut and style transports us to a time when bands looked like bands and acted like gangs.

A feature in High Times likened Biters' mix of streetwise snarl and pop perfection to "a rainbow in a thunderstorm." 

The Future Ain't What It Used To Be was recorded by Dan Dixon (Wyldlife, Whores.), mixed by Dixon and Scott Stevens (Halestorm, Shinedown), and mastered by Stephen Marcussen (Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty).

Pre-order, here:
CD & vinyl - http://www.earache.com/biters
iTunes - http://bit.ly/bitersfuture-itunes

Biters have toured with Ace Frehley, Social Distortion, D Generation, Buckcherry, and many more; they completed a European tour this month with labelmates Blackberry Smoke and will set out on a headlining US tour in May.

Biters, on tour:
May 19 - Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge
May 20 - Indianapolis, IN @ State Street Pub
May 21 - St Louis, MO @ Fubar
May 23 - Hamtramck, MI @ Smalls
May 25 - Toledo, OH @ Frankie's
May 26 - Rochester, NY @ German House Auditorium
May 27 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
May 28 - Cambridge, MA @ Sonia
May 30 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
May 31 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus
Jun 1 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
Jun 2 - Harrisburg, PA @ Abbey Bar
Jun 3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage Lounge
Jun 30 - Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard

Photo by Evan Bartleson

THE CHAIN anniversary

Celebrating one year today! Cheers, everyone, from Curran, JP, Brandon.

ILLUSTRATIONS + Revolver

From San Antonio, Texas, Illustrations presents new single "The Killing Field," premiered today via Revolver.

Listen, here:
http://www.revolvermag.com/artist-music-song-premieres/illustrations-premiere-new-song-killing-field/23284

"The Killing Field" appears on Illustrations' sophomore album Acts of God, to be released by the band on May 26th.

The song showcases the band's brutal side – a brand of hardcore saturated in death metal and black metal influence – but Acts of God sees Illustrations balance this punishing sound with a bold palette of other colors. Synths, field recordings, saxophones (performed by Bruce Lamont of Yakuza and Corrections House), crooned vocals, whispers, and soaring guitars bring a whole new dimension to the music, evoking the vast landscapes of the band's Texas home. Frontman Matt King names influences that span from At the Gates to Cocteau Twins, and this range is well represented on Acts of God. 

Tastemaker site Clrvynt recently reported, "Texas-based Illustrations have been quietly molding themselves into one of the most exciting bands in extreme music."

A record release show for Acts of God is set for May 27th at Mohawk in Austin, Texas, with The Dillinger Escape Plan:
https://marginwalkerpresents.queueapp.com/events/30400

HOMEWRECKER West Coast Tour

Having already brought its Slayer-core to stages across the country in 2017, Homewrecker announces an early summer headlining tour of the West. The two-week run includes slots on Modified Ghost Fest in Vancouver (playing on a bill with Cro-Mags and Comeback Kid), 71 Grind Fest in Colorado Springs (with Phobia, Gatecreeper, and more), and the pre-show for Sound and Fury Fest in Los Angeles.

May 23 - Pomona, CA @ PBW
May 24 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Subrosa
May 26 - Portland, OR @ Post 134
May 28 - Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater - Modified Ghost Fest
May 29 - Tacoma, WA @ Real Art
May 30 - Spokane, WA @ The Pin
May 31 - Boise, ID @ Wastelander Studios
Jun 1 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Beehive Social Club
Jun 3 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep - 71 Grind Fest
Jun 4 - Albuquerque, NM @ Legion 49
Jun 5 - Phoenix, AZ @ 51 West
Jun 6 - Yuma, AZ @ Prison Hill
Jun 7 - Tijuana, MX @ Mods Bar
Jun 8 - Los Angeles, CA @ Union - Sound and Fury Fest Pre-Show
Jun 10 - Cleveland, OH @ The Foundry

Homewrecker's latest EP Extinction by Design was released last fall on Good Fight Music. The Ohio band dishes out ultra-thick death grooves and whiplash thrash attacks, delivered with all the snarling rawness of hardcore punk. The next full-length is currently in the works and will be released on Good Fight this year.

"Homewrecker brings the slow groove to fast death metal... Killing it with their old school-inspired jams."
–Metal Injection

"Homewrecker have cast off their shackles of servitude to their influences, and have begun to napalm a path all their own... So concussive and so jam-packed with madness..."

–Decibel

Watch Homewrecker's "Prophet Liar" video, here:
http://www.metalinjection.net/video/homewrecker-prophet-liar-brings-the-slow-groove-to-fast-death-metal

Buy Extinction by Design, here: 
http://goodfightmusic.merchnow.com/catalogs/Homewrecker

Photo by E. Aaron Ross

Flyer by Jesse Feinman

PANICKER + Culture Creature

Culture Creature is now streaming the newest Panicker track, Perfume. Listen, here:
http://www.culturecreature.com/panicker-brent-asbury-perfume/

"...a nice dose of industrial-tinged dance music."
–Brooklyn Vegan

Panicker seeks to give a voice (sans vocalist) to the anxious emotional state occupied by musician/producer/sound engineer Brent Asbury-- as well as, it seems, society as a whole. The feeling is frightening, all-consuming and urgent, and he captures this well. Asbury describes Panicker as “blending aspects of EBM, industrial, techno and hip hop with the intensity and heart of punk, metal, and horror films.”

This track is a single off of Panicker's debut self-titled LP, which will be available digitally and on random variant vinyl via Three One G Records on April 26th. Preorder here.

PANICKER LP track listing:
1. Commuter
2. Parties
3. Heave
4. Habits
5. Systems
6. Airport
7. Untitled
8. Ataxia
9. Perfume
10. Time

INVISIBL SKRATCH PIKLZ/PLANET B + Brooklyn Vegan

Brooklyn Vegan is now streaming the new Invisibl Skratch Piklz/Planet B split.

Listen, here:

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/stream-invisibl-skratch-piklz-planet-bs-split-7/

Order the free 7" here:

https://kingsroadmerch.com/three-one-g/

Sample-spewing masterminds Invisibl Skratch Piklz and Planet B work together to forge a gritty, wayward path in these troubling times with this newest 7”. Each entrenched in the ethics of DIY (and with extensive musical histories to show for it), these artists’ music meld hip hop and punk through scratches, synths, and screams. Side A includes two versions of Invisibl Skratch Piklz’ “Polka Fist Pump”, a brutal turntable assault that shows the speed and precision with which ISP can scratch. The second mix on the 7” features Justin Pearson’s scathing vocals and smart-aleck aping of the track’s samples, leaving the listener with “beautiful debris at the birth of terror.” Side B re-imagines a piece originally written by two-thirds of Planet B, Gabe Serbian and Justin Pearson: both locusts who have “learned how to fly with one wing.” The track, “Old Age Lasts Too Long,” was first created for the soundtrack of Asia Argento’s film, Incompresa. Luke Henshaw brings new life to old age with his horror-sci-fi-synth samples, adding nuance and eccentricity to a previously more bare-bones, rhythm-based composition. Be it through turntablism, Dadaism, situationism or sarcasm, both tracks resonate as prescriptions for dissent, even, at times, in the absence of words.

Speaking about his decision to collaborate with Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Justin Pearson said, “It makes sense to us to mix aspects of punk and hardcore with hip hop and turntablism. It’s all aesthetically punk anyhow.” Planet B’s Luke Henshaw adds, “When collaborating with such great artists, its best to not draw a line, and to leave the doors open for endless opportunities for disaster.”

Out today: CRUSHED - Deep User

New Crushed EP Deep User is out today.

Listen, here:
http://decibelmagazine.com/blog/2017/4/12/full-ep-stream-crushed-deep-user

Buy, here:
https://crushednyc.bandcamp.com/

"The metallic hardcore outfit's EP bites hard, with more than enough riffs and mosh-worthy breakdowns to lose your mind to. It's the noise rock elements that set Crushed apart though; each track has an extra, insane layer to it..."
–Decibel

"A total thrasher, reminiscent of the likes of Cro-Mags and Sheer Terror, with a heavier bite... The EP was recorded by Uniform's Ben Greenberg, who helped the band realize their potential for noise-laden riffs."
–Clrvynt

"While Uniform make harsh noise with a distinct influence from hardcore punk, Crushed kinda flip the formula... A punk crusher covered in a layer of static."
–BrooklynVegan

"Crushed's battle scars come through loud and clear in their music... They do their great NYC hardcore forefathers proud."
–MetalSucks

"A riveting collision between hardcore and noise rock."
–New Noise

"Imagine the sound of Deadguy playing AmRep-styled songs at a CBGB's matinee, circa 1996, and you would be close to capturing the sonic fury of Crushed."
–No Echo

"What would happen if a college-educated version of the Cro-Mags were locked in their rehearsal space as it was set on fire... Crushed pumps out some of the best of what hardcore has to offer – not least of which is the vibe of authentic anger, frustration, and heartache that has always made the genre transcend itself."
–Svbterranean

Deep User was recorded and mixed by Uniform guitarist Ben Greenberg, and mastered by Josh Bonati (Pharmakon, Merchandise). The EP seethes with belligerent New York hardcore of the Cro-Mags variety, buried in a tomb of noise and riddled with odd, transcendent melodies that elevate the music to a sphere beyond simple classification.

The New York City band's frontman Fred Miketa breaks it down: "When we set out to write Deep User the goal was pretty simple – write a fucked up hardcore record for someone who appreciates Blood For Blood as much as the Cocteau Twins. Lyrically, the EP is basically a narrative that shitty hardcore dad-types living in NYC may have experienced at one time or another: coming to terms with getting old and dying soon (and it not mattering)... Deep User, for me at least, channels the spirit of hardcore as it was presented to me so many years ago – doing something unique, in my own voice, that acts as an outlet for the horseshit we face every day. Maybe it's emo or cliche, but hopefully there are some freaks out there that can relate and get it."

CRUSHED + Decibel

"The metallic hardcore outfit's EP bites hard, with more than enough riffs and mosh-worthy breakdowns to lose your mind to. It's the noise rock elements that set Crushed apart though; each track has an extra, insane layer to it..."
–Decibel

"A total thrasher, reminiscent of the likes of Cro-Mags and Sheer Terror, with a heavier bite... The EP was recorded by Uniform's Ben Greenberg, who helped the band realize their potential for noise-laden riffs."
 –Clrvynt

"While Uniform make harsh noise with a distinct influence from hardcore punk, Crushed kinda flip the formula... A punk crusher covered in a layer of static."
–BrooklynVegan

"Crushed's battle scars come through loud and clear in their music... They do their great NYC hardcore forefathers proud."
–MetalSucks

"Imagine the sound of Deadguy playing AmRep-styled songs at a CBGB's matinee, circa 1996, and you would be close to capturing the sonic fury of Crushed."
–No Echo

"What would happen if a college-educated version of the Cro-Mags were locked in their rehearsal space as it was set on fire... Crushed pumps out some of the best of what hardcore has to offer – not least of which is the vibe of authentic anger, frustration, and heartache that has always made the genre transcend itself."
–Svbterranean

Decibel is now streaming Deep User, the new, sophomore EP by Crushed. 

Listen, here:
http://decibelmagazine.com/blog/2017/4/12/full-ep-stream-crushed-deep-user

Pre-order, here:
https://crushednyc.bandcamp.com/

Out this Friday, April 14th, Deep User comprises six songs of crushing New York hardcore of the Cro-Mags variety, buried in a tomb of noise courtesy of Uniform guitarist Ben Greenberg's production, and riddled with odd, transcendent melodic layers that elevate the music to a sphere beyond simple classification. Lyrically, frontman Fred Miketa keeps it real, venting his own real-life concerns as a single father getting by in the big city. He has said that hardcore saved his life as a kid and now, through Crushed, it is saving him for the second time. He elaborates:

"When we set out to write Deep User the goal was pretty simple – write a fucked up hardcore record for someone who appreciates Blood For Blood as much as the Cocteau Twins. Lyrically, the EP is basically a narrative that shitty hardcore dad-types living in NYC may have experienced at one time or another: coming to terms with getting old and dying soon (and it not mattering)... Deep User, for me at least, channels the spirit of hardcore as it was presented to me so many years ago – doing something unique, in my own voice, that acts as an outlet for the horseshit we face every day. Maybe it's emo or cliche, but hopefully there are some freaks out there that can relate and get it."

Deep User was mastered by Josh Bonati (Pharmakon, Merchandise).

Photo by James Hartley

BITERS - The Future Ain't What It Used To Be

Atlanta rock n' rollers Biters' sophomore album The Future Ain't What It Used To Be is set for a May 19th release on Earache Records.

Crank first single "Stone Cold Love," here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFY2j22YGJQ

"Stomping rock n' roll, sprinkled with stardust" is how Biters have recently been described – the Atlanta-based quartet makes swaggering, stadium-ready anthems in the spirit of the glam, power pop, and hard rock gods of the '70s, from T. Rex to Cheap Trick to AC/DC. But for a band pounding out the catchiest songs of the year, Biters are punks at heart. These guys are street-walkin' cheetahs whose strut and style transports us to a time when bands looked like bands and acted like gangs.

A 2016 feature in High Times described Biters' sound as "sugar and vice," referring to the band's mix of sweet hooks and raw, rockin' animalism. Sophomore album The Future Ain't What It Used To Be, out May 19th on Earache, takes this premise and makes absolute magic with it. The Future Ain't What It Used To Be is a timeless rock album, a parade of hooks and attitude and million dollar choruses – from the driving call-to-arms of opener "Let It Roll," to the dreamy fuzz of "Stone Cold Love," to the pure power of "Chasin' the Feeling."

The Future Ain't What It Used To Be was recorded by Dan Dixon (Wyldlife, Whores.), mixed by Dixon and Scott Stevens (Halestorm, Shinedown), and mastered by Stephen Marcussen (Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty).

Pre-order, here:
CD & vinyl - http://www.earache.com/biters
iTunes - http://bit.ly/bitersfuture-itunes

Founded by frontman Tuk Smith in 2010 in Atlanta, Biters put out a string of EPs before landing with Earache for debut full-length Electric Blood in 2015. Smith has said, "I put Biters together to bring some style and substance back to rock n' roll. I wanted to do something super authentic, something timeless, something iconic. I wanted to do something classic. Corporate pop culture and fair-weather fads is just something I'm not interested in. I still choose to play rock n' roll because I still believe in rock n' roll."

Biters have toured with Ace Frehley, Social Distortion, D Generation, Buckcherry, The Ataris, and many more; they completed a European tour this month with labelmates Blackberry Smoke and will set out on a headlining US tour in May.

Biters, on tour:
May 19 - Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge
May 20 - Indianapolis, IN @ State Street Pub
May 21 - St Louis, MO @ Fubar
May 23 - Hamtramck, MI @ Smalls
May 25 - Toledo, OH @ Frankie's
May 26 - Rochester, NY @ German House Auditorium
May 27 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
May 28 - Cambridge, MA @ Sonia
May 30 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
May 31 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus
Jun 1 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
Jun 2 - Harrisburg, PA @ Abbey Bar
Jun 3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage Lounge
Jun 30 - Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard

The Future Ain't What It Used To Be tracklist:
1) Let It Roll
2) Stone Cold Love
3) Callin' You Home
4) Don't Turn this Good Heart Bad
5) Gypsy Rose
6) No Stranger to Heartache
7) Vulture City
8) Hollywood
9) Chasin' the Feeling
10) Goin' Back to Georgia

Lineup:
Tuk Smith - vocals, guitar
Matt Gabs - guitar
Phil Anthony - bass
Joey O'Brien - drums

Cover art by Alex Hagen

Band photo by Evan Bartleson