Bits Of Shit
Cut Sleeves
13 Track, LP (2012, Homeless)
Related: Bits Of Shit.
Forget the pedigree, histories and self-mythology around the Bits of Shit Music Club – or BOSMC, as they prefer to be known – with the patches and list of club rules and all. That stuff is of passing interest, but none of it is as important as what is (preferably) booming loudly through your speakers here. I spent a few Saturday afternoons last July transfixed by these guys during their Tote residency. There were five Saturdays in the month and I saw four of the shows.
Forget any ideas of coolness or irony: this is not being played tongue-in-cheek. This debut album does a great job of capturing their dizzying propulsive energy. It tickles similar hard-rock brain receptors as, say, The Dacios’ Monkey's Blood or Deaf Wish’s Reality & Visions did in the recent past.
About 20 seconds in, instrumental opener ‘F’ sets the ground rules when it locks into a solid groove with Andy Lang spraying tight, noisy chords all over the shop. ‘Rock Sing’ features buzzing guitars that sound like a wall of flies a couple of metres thick, while the harsh, repetitive riff of ‘Traps’ is a lurching monster that may make you feel seasick. Singer Danny Vanderpol sounds like the class clown after a few drinks: clever and needling, a sarcastic little shit who brings an exaggerated effect to a lot of the lines. Listen to him squawk at the start of ‘Patrol’.
But as with Total Control, some people insist on missing the point and blunting the overall effect of the music by worrying too much about where it has come from, trying to isolate specific influences. That's a waste of time. Sure you can hear echoes of some old-school L.A. punk, but on this album the Bits have come up with something more than just the sum of its parts. However, for the sake of people who have to classify everything, I can confirm that on strictly objective measures, with 13 songs clocking in at 32-and-a-half minutes, Cut Sleeves slots neatly between Black Flag's Damaged (15 songs in 34.58) and Suicidal Tendencies' 1983 self-titled debut (12 tracks in 28.17).
The first release on new Melbourne label Homeless, this album is limited to a mere 500 copies, although it comes with a download and some very snazzy artwork courtesy of Rona Green. The band are taking a stack of them over to the U.S. on their upcoming tour in September, so you'd be well advised to get in early.
by Trevor Block
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Needs more adjectives.
Very tidy review indeed.
nice job trevor, can't wait to see them in sept
The launch show was fantastic last week, it really went off. Hope they do a farewell gig.
Album is amazing probably my favourite Melbounre band at the moment. Playing at the Old Bar next Saturday night can't wait for next next BOSMC dance.
^^ Likewise - love this band so much, so engaging. The album is fantastic. Great review!
Most fun band I've seen for a while, album is killer.
Good band, but is that the album cover?
I love that album cover, what you don't like dawgs?
The album cover artwork looks like it was created by Rona Green.
http://www.ronagreen.com/
Google images search
hey statsy, try this:
10 goto check scanning function
20 read
30 END
Image search with URL that actually works
how about...
10 goto practice thread and post there for a while until I can get URLs right?
or (ahem) read the review?
Do people read the reviews? I must start following this new trend.
Hey Block, did you ever meet Tom Kitten? Rona did some pictures of him.
Playing next Saturday at The Old Bar!
Find out for yourself what all the fuss is about, immediate download or purchase LP through Bandcamp:
homelessrecords.bandcamp.com/album/cut-sleeves
is this going to be released on CD? i prefer the sharp, shiny feel and sound that only a CD can provide.
Sorry Gabbo, highly unlikely. To be perfectly honest, it hasn't even been discussed.
buy the digital version and a 15c cdr, magic can happen.
that's what i'll do, but i want the artwork etc.
almost bought the LP from redeye on sat for the d/l link, despite not having a record player.
I made sure the Bandcamp download includes the rear cover as well as front, plus all lyrics and info provided on the insert.
next gig is this satdae the 18th at the old bar w/ gentlemen, old skin and dead boomers!
Tonight
Old Skin 9-9:40
Dead Boomers 10-10:40
Bits of Shit 11-11:40
Gentlemen 12-12:40
at the Old Bar
Small amount of blue copies available at the show tonight. If there's not a merch stall, look for me and throw $20 my way - I'll be the guy with an Amoeba bag slung over a shoulder.
Hopefully reviewed in tomorrow's Beat mag.
Blue vinyl all gone.
Last copies of first pressing black vinyl has arrived, being delivered to stores today / tomorrow.
Any idea where I can buy this to be shipped to the UK?
New interview
Did you sort this out? I could post it to you if need be, tihstar.
Playing LIVE at Gonerfest in 5-10 minutes.
Watch it here