Interview: Bobby Bray (of INUS) + Cvlt Nation

"Tracking the album dates back tens of thousands of years at UCSD’s Conrad Prebys Music Center, a sexy building in La Jolla California that cost over 60 million dollars to build. The album was then shelved and left to ferment for another couple of thousand years. Recently we were contacted by the Zandarian hive mind to finish the album, and so we did—you don’t want a Zandarian hive mind guilt tripping you out of bed every morning, trust us."
- Bobby Bray (INUS)

Read the entirety of the interview between Bobby Bray and Cvlt Nation discussing the upcoming release of INUS' LP, Western Spaghettification, as well as listen to the newest track, There Was a Fish in the Percolator, here.

INUS (aka The Institute for Navigating the Universal Self) is a pre-postapocalyptic, post-honky-tonk-prog-skronk, space Tropicalia, math-lounge powersilence trio from San Diego, California. Poking fun at the failed for-profit universities of yesteryear, the band’s live performance interweaves blistering, calculated bursts of noise with educational slideshows that riff on subversive political commentary, dada-surrealist sci-fi, scathing social critique, fake news, space cults, infomercials, spoofs on the Department of Defense, and shout-outs to corporate sponsors. The result is an unapologetically bold, utterly ridiculous, and serious-as-all-hell multimedia showcase of sophisticated polyrhythms and hog-wild-future-amusement-park timbres with vocals ranging from ring-modded falsetto to rumbling Tuvan throat skronking. INUS was originally formed as a two-piece under the name Innerds in 2011 by guitarist/vocalist Bobby Bray (The Locust, Holy Molar) and drummer Brandon Relf (Sleeping People). The band has shared the bill with left-field luminaries including 2UP, Head Wound City, The Molecules, Corima, Retox, Upsilon Acrux, Bastard Noise, Horse Lords, and Atomic Ape. Joined by bassist Chad Deal (Phantom Twins) in 2016, Innerds was reborn as INUS and finished the recording of Western Spaghettification.

Western Spaghettification will be released digitally as well as on red vinyl through Three One G Records on August 9th. Preorder, here.

CLOUD RAT - Pollinator

CLOUD RAT announces fourth album, "Pollinator"; new track streaming; album artwork and details revealed; tourdates with Kælan Mikla and more in the works

Cloud Rat presents its fourth full-length album: Pollinator.

Pollinator will be released September 13th on Artoffact Records.

Stream new track, "Webspinner," from Pollinator, here:
https://cloudrat.bandcamp.com/album/pollinator

Pre-order/pre-save/pre-add Pollinator, here:
https://orcd.co/cloudratpollinator

Over the past ten years, Cloud Rat has established itself as one of the most compelling bands in the underground. Over a staggering number of releases – four full-length albums, eleven EPs and splits, a live album, and various other comps, in one decade – the Michigan band has made a name for itself via sheer emotion and musical freedom.

NPR Music called Cloud Rat's 2013 album, Moksha,"a feral, fearsome and fearless piece of work." Noisey described a live show in 2015 with these words: "Cloud Rat is one of those rare bands whose music connects instantly, painfully – you feel the words, the the riffs, and the all-consuming cacophony deep within the marrow of your bones, vibrating out into a hostile world. "

Emerging from the space where hardcore punk spirals into grindcore, Cloud Rat is that and so much more. The band knows no limits and incorporates influences from across the map – black metal, noise, doom, goth, folk, and beyond – all while retaining its realness and urgency.

Cloud Rat guitarist Rorik Brooks describes the new album: "Pollinator is our most complete and accomplished work yet. It is the quintessence of everything we've tried to say and do before, and it's kind of fitting that we are coming up on a decade of being a band together."

From Track One onward, Cloud Rat lunges forth and never lets up. Ripping and heartfelt, the sound bears traces of various legendary bands that have dealt in white-knuckle intensity and epic melody – Discordance Axis, His Hero Is Gone, and Darkthrone, to name three – but this music is entirely Cloud Rat's own. Emotion bleeds through every note and anguished scream, and the entire album plays like one continuous song. Brooks states, "The goal was to have the album feel like a story that unfolds as you listen, spiraling deeper but then ebbing and flowing as it goes."

Brooks, drummer Brandon Hill, and vocalist Madison Marshall captivate from start to finish – each member's performance is strummed, beaten, and belted out with conviction. Underneath the grind, dark synths swell, adding an extra dimension of heaviness. 

Brooks discusses the album's lyrics: "The lyrics touch on traumas and memories, relationships and communication problems, as well as the brutality of our society and the world in general. I'd say that our mission is to connect with people and make them feel something, and hopefully inspire folks to exercise their minds a bit too. I think music is magick, and it's always interesting to cast little spells out there and see what happens, how music can affect others' moods and imaginations and thoughts."

As a companion piece to Pollinator, Cloud Rat has devoted an entire EP to its more experimental leanings: Artoffact will release Do Not Let Me Off the Cliff as the second disc in a 2-CD digipak version of Pollinator.

Pollinator was recorded and mixed by JC Griffin and Rorik Brooks at Lakebottom Recording House in Toledo, Ohio. Do Not Let Me Off the Cliff was recorded and mixed by Brooks at his home studio, The Overlook. The music was mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. The artwork and layout were created by Renata Rojo.

Cloud Rat has toured the world, including runs with with peers such as Thou, False, and Wolves in the Throne Room. Upcoming 2019 shows include September dates with Artoffact Records labelmates Kælan Mikla.

Pollinator tracklist:
1) Losing Weight
2) Delayed Grief // Farmhouse Red
3) Seven Heads
4) Night Song
5) Wonder
6) The Mad
7) Al Di La
8) Last Leaf
9) Zula
10) Biome
11) Webspinner
12) Luminescent Cellar
13) Marionettes
14) Perla

Do Not Let Me Off the Cliff tracklist:
1) Thrust
2) Keep Flies
3) Share
4) 623
5) The Portal of God Is Nonexistence
6) Pity Sex
7) Dropping from Trees

Lineup:
Madison Marshall - vocals
Rorik Brooks - guitar, keyboards, samples
Brandon Hill - drums

Discography:
• Cloud Rat - 2010, IFB Records, Otherwise Dead Records, Midwestern Decline Records
• Split w/ Xtra Vomit - 2010, Life Like Records / 2011, IFB Records
• Split w/ The Oily Menace & Wolbachia - 2011, IFB Records, Blackhouse Records
• Split w/ Autarkeia - 2011, IFB Records
• Fever Dreams - 2011, Grindcore Karaoke
• Split w/ Republic of Dreams - 2012, IFB Records, React With Protest Records, Moment of Collapse Records, 50 Year Storm Records
• Monomaniac - 2012, Blastbeat Mailmurder Productions
• Moksha - 2013 - Halo of Flies Records, IFB Records, React With Protest Records, 7 Degrees Records
• Split w/ Orgullo Primitivo - 2014, IFB Records  
• Blind River - 2014, self-released
• Qliphoth - 2015, Halo of Flies Records, IFB Records, React With Protest Records, Moment of Collapse Records, 7 Degrees Records
• Split w/ Drugs of Faith - 2015, Selfmadegod Records
• Discography 2010-2015 - 2016, Dead Tank Records, Moment of Collapse Records, Absolute Contempt Records, Here and Now! Records
• Split w/ Crevasse - 2017, Halo of Flies Records, Contraszt! Records
• Split w/ Moloch - 2017, Halo of Flies Records, Feast of Tentacles Records
• Split w/ Disrotted - 2017, Halo of Flies Records, Dry Cough Records
• Blightseed w/ The World Is A Vampire - 2018, IFB Records, Feast of Tentacles Records
• Split w/ Test - 2018, Moment of Collapse Records, Dead Tank Records, Laja Records, 255 Records
• Clipped Beaks / Silk Panic MMXVII - 2018, Dead Tank Records, Moment of Collapse Records
• Pollinator - 2019, Artoffact Records

Photo of Cloud Rat, by Jason Tipton

Out today: NASTIE BAND

The self-titled, debut album by Nastie Band is out today on Sleeping Giant Glossolalia.

Nastie Band is the new NYC art-doom collective featuring Roddy Bottum (Faith No More, Imperial Teen), octogenarian Chris Kachulis (a collaborator of electronic music pioneer Bruce Haack), and current/former members of Merchandise, Pollution, and more.

Listen and buy, here:
https://sleepinggiantglossolalia.bandcamp.com/album/nastie-band

Further info:
http://thechainworld.blogspot.com/2019/06/nastie-band.html

"When the members of New York art-doom collective Nastie Band gather, they resemble a leather-clad gang befitting a post-apocalyptic dystopia. And that’s exactly the kind of thing they want you to think, with their carefully cultivated image that incorporates slasher aesthetics, BDSM and the occult... Although it’s clear that the band is aiming for a caustic amalgamation of doom metal, goth, cabaret, disco and avant-garde (think Celtic Frost meets Scott Walker), listeners primed by the band’s own extravagant descriptions might be surprised to find out just how patient and artful this music actually is."
–Billboard

“Mind-melting destruction delivered at a lumbering, sinister pace... An incorporeal call to revelry."
–Revolver

"A sound and image that will remind listeners of the wicked, daughter-tempting, devil-worshipping schlock bands of classic ’80s movies. The bands revels in chains, leather, and snarling heavy rock that pulls from all corners of metal, goth, and noise, with a hard polish of NYC degeneracy."
–Kerrang!

"Seven gut-rattling songs powered by heavily distorted bass, distant, squealing guitars, and the haunting vocals of Frank Haines and Chris Kachulis, all punctuated by Roddy Bottum's ethereal synthesizer textures."
–AllMusic

"Nastie Band certainly live up to their Art-Doom epithet by easily managing to be both, usually at the same time. Ever-changing and constantly interesting."
–Echoes and Dust

"A soundtrack to B-movie rituals, slashings, reefer madness, and every other form of horror debauchery you can conjure... Doom-driven riffs, eerie soundscapes, and beautiful vocals reminiscent of Celtic Frost, and it’s absolutely gnarly in the true spirit of the ’80s."
–MetalSucks

"A wild ride... It's dark, it's weird, and it's noisy."
-Metal Injection

"Positively evil."
–BrooklynVegan

CAR BOMB - "Scattered Sprites"

CAR BOMB reveals second single off new album "Mordial"; album pre-order launched; album artwork revealed; Euroblast Festival headline slot added to upcoming European dates

Car Bomb has revealed "Scattered Sprites," the second single from its upcoming, fourth album, Mordial.

Stream "Scattered Sprites," here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcqTepxV_Lo

Mordial will be released September 27th – self-released by the band in North America, and via Holy Roar Records in the UK and Europe.

Pre-order the album, here:
http://carbomb.bandcamp.com/album/mordial
http://www.holyroarrecords.com/products/search?q=car+bomb

Based in and around New York City, Car Bomb has made its name over the past two decades as master craftsmen of metal that is as heavy as it is progressive. Stereogum described the quartet's third album (2016's Meta) as "a rhythmically abstruse variety of extreme metal... hallucinatory time-stretching noises... unpredictable detours into melodic territory." Guitar World stated, "the eclectic album bursts with complex arrangements, brutal, off-kilter riffs, and deep grooves." Kerrang! reviewed a live performance with these words: "Their psychotic turbo-thrash is disgustingly disorientating... one relentless onslaught of time-chopping violence."

New single "Scattered Sprites" sees Car Bomb bring moody, melodic elements into its signature sound. Guitarist Greg Kubacki offers this quote about "Scattered Sprites" and the direction of the new album:

"On our last record, Meta, one of the biggest surprises was 'Gratitude.' That was one of our favorite songs on the album, but we were hesitant to release it since it leans on a lot of our non-heavy influences. After seeing fans react so positively to it we felt like we could explore more of that vibe on Mordial. But then we thought, 'wait, what other sounds can we explore that we’ve always wanted to try?' With this particular record it really feels like the gloves came off, and that we were free to experiment with whatever we wanted to.”

Mordial was recorded by the band in Brooklyn at Silver Cord Studio (Gojira), and mixed by Nolly Getgood (Periphery, Animals As Leaders). Stay tuned for more details.

Having completed a European tour with Animals As Leaders in June, the band returns to Europe this month to play festivals and headline dates. Just added, the band will headline Euroblast Festival in Cologne, Germany, on September 29th, and the appearance will serve as the official record release show for Mordial.

Jul 28 - Milan, Italy @ Circolo Magnolia Festival
Jul 29 - Munich, Germany @ Free & Easy Festival
Jul 30 - Vienna, Austria @ Simm City
Jul 31 - Budapest, Hungary @ A38
Aug 2 - Glasgow, UK @ Garage
Aug 3 - Guildford, UK @ Radar Festival
Aug 4 - Bristol, UK @ SWX
Aug 5 - Manchester, UK @ Academy 2
Aug 8 - Jaromer, Czech Republic @ Brutal Assault Festival
Aug 17 - Bristol, UK @ ArcTanGent Festival
Sep 29 - Cologne, Germany @ Euroblast Festival

carbomb.bandcamp.com

Photo by Randy Edwards

WINGTIPS - "The Eye That Follows Suit"

WINGTIPS: CHICAGO GOTHS REVEAL NEW SINGLE "THE EYE THAT FOLLOWS SUIT" FROM UPCOMING "EXPOSURE THERAPY" ALBUM, GEAR UP FOR NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

"Darkwave is experiencing an incredible renaissance right now, in part due to stylish and talented duos like Drab Majesty... Another rising act in the genre is Chicago's Wingtips, the devastating twosome of Vincent Segretario and Hannah Avalon."
–Revolver

"Immensely talented... A hybrid of post-punk and dark synth pop – as if The Cure and Depeche Mode circa 1983 were to come together in a studio in Berlin."
–Post-Punk

Wingtips have premiered "The Eye That Follow Suit," the second single from upcoming debut album Exposure Therapy.

Exposure Therapy will be released August 23rd on Artoffact Records.

Stream "The Eye That Follows Suit," here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2EwvXt5nrr276DV7MVreWR
https://www.deezer.com/album/98818962
https://music.apple.com/us/album/exposure-therapy/1465953306
https://wingtips.bandcamp.com/album/exposure-therapy
https://youtu.be/MPLEr7CxHPc

From Chicago, Wingtips is the duo of Vincent Segretario and Hannah Avalon. Their dark anthems are in line with Ministry's early, "With Sympathy"-era synth-pop and the textural, yearning sounds of The Cure. Modern-day reference points include Drab Majesty, with whom Wingtips have shared the stage.

Debut full-length Exposure Therapy follows the band's 2016 Greyarea EP. Exposure Therapy was engineered, co-produced, and mastered by Brian Fox at Altered States Studio in Chicago.

Pre-order, pre-add, and pre-save the album, here:

http://orcd.co/exposuretherapy

Wingtips embark on an extensive North American tour in August, including slots on Cold Waves VIII in Chicago, Absolution Festival in Tampa, and much more.

Aug 3 - Minneapolis, MN @ Loring Bar  #
Aug 27 - Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge  $
Aug 28 - Denver, CO @ Rhinoceropolis
Aug 30 - Boise, ID @ The Shredder
Aug 31 - Seattle, WA @ Belltown Yacht Club
Sep 4 - Vancouver, BC @ The Astoria
Sep 5 - Portland, OR @ The Lovecraft
Sep 6 - Oakland, CA @ The Uptown  %
Sep 8 - San Diego, CA @ The Whistle Stop
Sep 10 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Moroccan
Sep 11 - Phoenix, AZ @ Lunchbox
Sep 12 - El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse
Sep 13 - San Antonio, TX @ The Amp Room  &
Sep 14 - Austin, TX @ Empire  &
Sep 15 - Dallas, TX @ Three Links
Sep 17 - Tulsa, OK @ The Starlite
Sep 18 - Kansas City, MO @ miniBar
Sep 20 - Chicago, IL @ Cold Waves Festival
Sep 26 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit
Sep 28 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bazaar  +
Sep 30 - Richmond, VA @ Banditos  +
Oct 2 - Raleigh, NC @ The Wicked Witch  +
Oct 5 - Tampa, FL @ Absolution Festival  +
Oct 10 - Nashville, TN @ Drkmttr
Oct 11 - Louisville, KY @ Art Sanctuary
Oct 16 - Detroit, MI @ UFO Factory
Oct 17 - Toronto, ON @ The Boat
Oct 19 - Newark, NJ @ QXT's

# = w/ Silent Servant, Fee Lion
$ = w/ Plack Blague DJ set
% = w/ Ash Code
& = w/ Twin Tribes
+ = w/ Korine

Photo by Alexus McLane

Pitiless + Revolver: Full Album Stream

“...a scathing five-track EP that mixes death metal, grind and hardcore, recalling Pig Destroyer, Suffocation, Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Full of Hell all at once. There's a ton of positively nasty riffage backed by drum machine, and once paired with Gramlich's nihilistic and hateful vocals, the result is the hateful gems on Amaranthine.”

— Revolver Magazine

Stream the entire EP, Amaranthine, via Revolver Magazine, here.

Pitiless are an emerging two-piece from the cold, harsh, desolate Canadian metal scene, in this case, Toronto, ON, Canada, comprised of guitarist/bassist/programmer Matt DeMille and lyricist/screamer Christopher J. Gramlich (Vilipend, Ancress).

The duo forge their own path by combining non-traditional aggressive vocals — for this style of music — with extreme metal influences, such as death, grind and their various offshoots, as well as film samples (Aliens, Mad Max: Fury Road) and an actual Aztec Death Whistle. Gramlich explains Pitiless’s mindset, musically and socially. “The goal is not to be part of a scene, since we’ve always been outsiders, even in the ‘outsider’ communities of metal, hardcore or whatever, but to form genuine connections via music with individuals.” Not content to sing about heartbreak or personal issues, Pitiless draw lyrical inspiration from famed Polish painter Zdzisław Beksiński, with each song being based upon at least one of his works, as well as mental health issues and chronic pain. Pitiless also utilize a great deal of religious imagery, references and even quotes from religious texts, despite being non-believers and very much anti-organized religion, as such imagery is ubiquitous in our society and undeniably powerful and provocative.

This EP was released digitally on July 26th. Order it, here.

While Amaranthine has multiple meanings, the essential one in this context is “undying.” Not only is it incredibly “metal,” but also relates to the compulsion to continue to create music, no matter the physical and mental cost. With Gramlich breaking his back opening for Dillinger Escape Plan years ago while in Vilipend, and it worsening over time, both the need to create and refusing to “die,” no matter the pain or obstacles in the path, are pillars of Pitiless’s foundation.

Unquestionably, “negative” emotions such as hatred, misanthropy, isolation and mental and physical pain stoked the creative fires for Amaranthine, with various members having been diagnosed with severe clinical depression and suicidal ideation, as well as chronic injuries and chronic pain. Musically, Amaranthine is influenced by the likes of Suffocation, Unmerciful, Nile and Terrorizer, as well as Canadian heroes Human Compost, Blastomycosis, and Tomb Mold, among others.

Amaranthine EP:

1. To Storm the Gates of Heaven

2. Shackles of Perdition

3. Ugly on the Inside

4. Wretched Redeemer

5. Human Prey (Terrorizer Cover)

Upcoming shows:

August 4 - Toronto, ON @ Bovine Sex Club w/ Fister

MULTICULT - "Torsion"

"Over the past decade, Baltimore’s Multicult have earned their reputation as one of this era’s best and most consistent noise rock bands. Set to release their fifth album, Simultaneity Now, on August 2nd via Learning Curve Records, the band remain of the best and brightest. Pushing the noise rock framework in new directions with a relaxed sonic freedom and a deeper understanding of their own goals, the album sounds as vital as ever."
–Post-Trash

"Noise rock, as a genre, provides a home for a cadre of secretly virtuoso musicians. The focus isn’t on shredding and pyrotechnic playing as much as maneuvering through strange time signatures and a thorough command of instrumental sounds and textures... This is certainly the case with Baltimore-based trio Multicult. Consisting of Nick Skrobisz of The Wayward on guitar and vocals, Rebecca Burchette (ex-Fight Amp) on bass, and Jake Cregger of Triac and Backslider on drums, the trio bring a wealth of talent and experience to bear on their fifth full-length, Simultaneity Now, due out August 2 via Learning Curve Records."
–Burning Ambulance

Stream new Multicult song "Torsion" and read an interview with frontman Nick Skrobisz, here:
http://post-trash.com/news/2019/7/15/multicult-torsion-post-trash-premiere-feature-interview

"Torsion" appears on new album Simultaneity Now – Multicult's fifth full-length album, and ninth release in all –out August 2nd on Learning Curve Records. 

Pre-order the album, here:
https://multicult.bandcamp.com/album/simultaneity-now

Pre-order the album from the label, here:
https://learningcurverecords.myshopify.com/collections/preorders/products/multicult-simultaneity-now-lp-pre-order-out-aug-2nd

From Baltimore, Maryland, Multicult is the trio of guitarist/vocalist Nick Skrobisz, bassist Rebecca Burchette, and drummer Jake Cregger. All three are prolific musicians who have made their mark elsewhere: Skrobisz leads The Wayward, where he melds King Crimson musicality with world-weary post-hardcore; Burchette laid down riffs for noise-rockers Fight Amp in their early days; Cregger is best known for his breakneck blastbeats in Triac and Backslider.

In Multicult, the three boil things down to skeletal bruise-rock of the Big Black school of punishment. The sound is minimal and relentless. Burchette's distorted bass and Cregger's machine-style drumming lock together into an absolutely unshakable force – with Skrobisz' guitar chugging and clanging on top, the spirit of Gang of Four, Albini's various bands, or the industrial-grade noise-rock of New Yorkers like Cop Shoot Cop is in full effect.

But Multicult cannot be pigeonholed so easily. Even in a band with as focused a sound as this, Skrobisz is a free-thinker whose expansive approach to music shines through – he lists experimental guitarists like Bill Orcutt (Harry Pussy) and Sir Richard Bishop (Sun City Girls) as recent inspirations and he explores retro-electronic music through his current solo project Overcalc (debut album, coming soon via Sleeping Giant Glossolalia). On Simultaneity Now, rays of Skrobisz' guitar-light burst through the cold, mechanical base, and his voice ramps up, from low utterances to soaring, soul-baring screams.

Simultaneity Now was tracked and mixed mainly by Skrobisz at his home studio in Baltimore; drums were recorded by Kevin Bernsten at Developing Nations (Skeletonwitch, Outer Heaven).

Multicult will tour the US this summer, including dates with Learning Curve labelmates Super Thief, Tongue Party, and Vincas.

Aug
1 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery w/ City of Caterpillar
2 - Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge w/ Super Thief
3 - Durham, NC @ The Pinhook w/ Super Thief
4 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl w/ Super Thief
5 - Chattanooga, TN @ The Spot w/ Super Thief
6 - New Orleans, LA @ Circle Bar w/ Super Thief
7 - Austin, TX @ Barracuda w/ Super Thief
9 - Chicago, IL @ Co-Prosperity Sphere w/ Tongue Party
10 - Minneapolis, MN @ Mortimer's w/ Tongue Party
11 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews w/ Tongue Party
13 - Denver, CO @ 3 Kings Tavern w/ Tongue Party
15 - Seattle, WA @ Clock Out Lounge w/ Tongue Party
16 - Portland, OR @ High Water Mark w/ Tongue Party
17 - Oakland, CA @ Elbo Room w/ Tongue Party
18 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Lexington w/ Tongue Party

Sep
13 - Portland, ME @ Geno's w/ Vincas
14 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory w/ Vincas
15 - Philadelphia, PA @ Ortlieb's w/ Vincas

Band photo by Ben Price

THE NUMBER TWELVE LOOKS LIKE YOU - "Ruin the Smile"

The Number Twelve Looks Like You has revealed the official music video for "Ruin the Smile," the first single off the band's upcoming album, Wild Gods.

The Number Twelve's first new album in ten years, Wild Gods will be released September 20th via Overlord Music (double LP vinyl, CD, and digital formats).

Stream the official "Ruin the Smile" music video, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNZkJrCiFwY

Pre-order the album, here:
https://noxii.ffm.to/wildgods

See upcoming tourdates, album artwork, and further details, here:

http://thechainworld.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-number-twelve-looks-like-you-wild.html

The Number Twelve frontman Jesse Korman, who wrote and directed the "Ruin the Smile" video, offers this statement:

"I couldn’t be more proud of our new album, or more excited to share it with you. It’s been a long wait and a wild journey. The new single is heavy. The subject matter is undoubtedly heavier, but it is important to address things that make us uncomfortable. We wanted to create a song and video highlighting an issue we’re passionate about, disgusted and infuriated by. The sexual abuse of children.

It’s horrifying under any circumstances, absolutely, but there’s just something even more sick when it’s done by people who claim to know God. Trusted priests beloved by their followers, washing away sins in the light, while washing away innocence in the dark. There are new cases making headlines every week. Here in our home of New Jersey, Roman Catholic Dioceses recently published lists of nearly 200 priests who’d been accused of sexually abusing minors all across the state. Last year in Pennsylvania there were reports of 300 abusive priests and upwards of 1,000 victims. In March, a top Catholic official in France, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, was found guilty of failing to report sexual abuse by Father Bernard Preynat, an infamous priest of his diocese. That same month, it was revealed in Poland that church authorities had recorded nearly 400 abusive clergymen, with over 600 victims since 1990. It’s a timeless issue. It’s constant. It’s happening at home. It’s happening abroad. They know the priests commit these crimes, they keep it quiet and move them around to preserve the image and power of the church. How many lives have they ruined?

The crimes aren’t limited to the Catholic Church, of course. Children are affected by these crimes the world over, in all communities. The Hollywood elite and ultra rich are rife with documented and suspected offenses, heavily highlighted in the #metoo era and made sickeningly crystal clear with the freshly indicted, billionaire child trafficker and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In April it was revealed The Boy Scouts of America held confidential files that listed over 7,800 suspected pedophiles, and over 12,000 victims. Just read the news. It’s everywhere. It’s become so common we hardly hear about it, we hardly blink. How do you bring attention to something that society has become, like it or not, totally desensitized to? As artists we don’t have the ability to make the changes our politicians and law enforcement do, but these crimes turn my stomach, and we wanted to express something that we’ve all felt at one time or another— a vicious and unforgiving fantasy of revenge.

Unfortunately, revenge is often better left in the realm of fantasy.

Coming from a religious background myself, my intention isn’t to just shock and offend anyone. The Number 12 has never shied away from extreme or intense offensive content, but still, even as a nonbeliever, I know there are good Catholics out there and most are as horrified about all this as I am. There’s good and bad qualities about all faiths, and all communities sadly face forms of child exploitation. I just hope we can all come together to expose these tragedies, and find a way to stop them.

We’d like to thank everyone involved in making the video possible. It fell into place beautifully with a terrific team of friends, old and new, all of us manically running around the decaying floors of a long abandoned school building from 1918, covered in dirt and dust, head to toe. Our requests to permanently move in were politely declined. It’s currently being renovated by a non-profit to serve as a community center. It’s been 10 years since we’ve released new music and we couldn’t be happier to finally share it. To all our loyal fans that have stuck by our side, we can’t thank you enough.

There’s so much more to come.

To report an incident of child abuse, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children can be reached at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit report.cybertip.org

The National Child Abuse Hotline can be reached at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit childhelp.org for more information.

SNAP: Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests can be visited at snapnetwork.org for more information."

Band photos by Karen Jerzyk

JONNY COUCH - "Vertigo"

"From Brooklyn, New York, Jonny Couch makes soulful, synthy anthems, inspired by power-pop and New Romantic greats, like The Cars, Cheap Trick, Nick Lowe, Bryan Ferry, Duran Duran, etc. The charming 80s aesthetic and catchy melodies are sure to tickle the pop sensibilities of any self respecting ’80s devotee."
–Ghettoblaster

The music video for Jonny Couch's new single "Vertigo" is now streaming here:
http://ghettoblastermagazine.com/video-premiere-jonny-couch-vertigo/

Artwork for the single was created by Surfbort guitarist David R. Head, Jr.

The song appears on Couch's debut full-length, Mystery Man, produced by Peter Mavrogeorgis (Grinderman, Sharon Van Etten, The National). Pre-order the album here, ahead of its August 2nd release date:
https://jonnycouch.bandcamp.com/

Jonny Couch, live:
Aug 1 – New York, NY @ Berlin – “Mystery Man” album release show
Aug 14 – Brooklyn, NY @ Our Wicked Lady
Oct 13 – Austin, TX @ Cheer Up Charlies

Further info:
http://thechainworld.blogspot.com/2019/06/jonny-couch-mystery-man.html

Artwork by David R. Head, Jr.
Photos by Kelsey Wagner