Notes From The Underground - music scene - Brief Article

Thrasher Magazine, Oct, 2001 by Martine Kelsch

EASY ACTION'S SECOND 7" CONTINUES IN THE VEIN of their first: Loud, gritty, and raw. With the vocals of John Brannon (Negative Approach, Laughing Hyenas) chiming in like a circular saw cutting through solid rock, it's pretty unmistakable. Look for "Do or Die" on Reptilian... The Lost Sounds is Jay Reatard's new outfit and a departure from the pure drunken sloppiness of the Reatards. Their 7" "1 1 = Nothing" on Empty Records is a four-piece lineup combining a Reatard spazziness with dark, brooding undertones enhanced by Alicja's keys. Their first LP is similarly spooky, but there's something added-Oh yeah, like their Tennessee kinfolk The Oblivions (and every other band from Detroit) there's no bass; they play as a three piece. This could be the soundtrack to your scary, go-nowhere punk life. Check out Memphis is Dead on Big Neck Records... I am continually amazed to hear old stuff that gets reissued and blows away 95 percent of the horseshit out there. Two gems: DMZ and X. I've had the DMZ LP on 8-track for a while (found it for 50 cents!) and it rocks pretty hard. Finally reissued, it's some solid early punk rock--definitely more in the rock vein. The other is the recently reissued LP by Australia's X. With a cover eerily similar to the X from LAs first LP, this was recorded around the same time ('79) and just plaln kicks ass. Stripped down and raw (a path forged by the Sonics and their ilk in the '60s as a reaction to over-productj6n and extras such as symphonic accompaniment), it came out as a CD a few years ago, but now Aspirations is available on vinyl through Rock 'n' Roll Blitzkreig Records... Speaking of stripped down and raw, it doesn't get much rawer than Portland's Dead Moon. They've been around for years (guitarist/screecher Fred Cole has been playing in bands since the Lollipop Shop days) and continue to pound out the noisiest and garagiest of punk rock and roll, while maintaining a DIY sense of ethics (they used to own their own pressing machine for making mono 7"s and LPs!). Although Cole's voice can be reminiscent of fingernails on a chalkboard, it's really quite endearing. Check out Trash and Burn on Empty Records.

--Wez Lundry

Lil' Jon and the Eastside Boyz are jumpin' in the clubs and on the radio with their junior album, Put Your Hood Up. Representin' Atlanta to the fullest, Lil' Jon, Lil' Ba, and Big Sam have been stirring up the Dirty South since the early '90s. Besides being a well kaown producer for cats like Too Short and a dope radio personality of HOT97 Atlanta, Lil' Jon also skates. "My first board was a Gator. I used to love Cab, Gonz; all those old school cats."

Their first single "Bia, Bia" has topped the charts. "Bia is short for bitch. But that isn't too radio friendly so Bia just kinda caught on," says Lil' Jon. Along with fellow Southern favorites like Khujo from Goodie Mob, Ludicris, and 8 Ball and MJG, the new joint also features Big Kap, 3 Six Mafia, and Gangsta Boo, The most bangin' track has to be "Heads Off," with the rough and rugged MOP duo. "They're the rawest and dirtiest group in the North, and we're their counterpart in the South, so it was automatic to work with them," says Lil' Jon. Be sure to look out for the female all over this album, Chyna White. "She flows tight and she's beautiful, but don't be mistaken, she is still gangsta," Lil' Jon warns.

Sound the alarm! Gershon Mosley's big bro China is attacking the West Coast with a gang of synthesized beats for your heads to bob to. Gameaholic represents San Jose, showcasing China himself as Mr. Slanted Eyez; and for all you bomb smokers, listen up for White Cloudz, which features China, Guilty, and Fat Duke. Upcoming slangin' hits like Ball'n Ain't Easy and Gameilogy will all be released on Intent2Sell records.