The Hert Locker

Formerly Non-Linear Enjoyment Blogspot. Media in various forms.

[hertlocker]

Dancing our fucking faces off at the Big Boi Show. So so good...(so fresh and so clean clean.) #bigboi #outkast #australia #liveshows18 #metrotheatresydney #raptactular (at The Metro Theatre)

[hertlocker]

#japanesebreakfast playing #noisepop last night. Grand Theater has a cool cave vibe, to which I appreciate a good cave party atmosphere but the venue’s sound could have been much better. Bailed before Jay Som as my mellow was full-on harshed from an unforeseen case of Showleg. #japanesebreakfast #jaysom #noisepop2018 #sf #shows18 #showleg #harshedmellow (at Grand Theater / Gray Area)

[hertlocker]

Night One: Burger-A-Go-Go. Real tasty sets by @thecoathangers & @deathvalleygirls last night. @burgerrecords4life #theindependentsf #coathangers #deathvalleygirls #shows2018 (at The Independent)

[hertlocker]

A great set by @curlstheband last night at @cafedunordmusic. #curlstheband #cafedunordsf #sf #noisepop #unharshedsaturdaynighmellow (at Cafe Du Nord)

[hertlocker]

Old Record Reviews: Jacuzzi Boys - Ping Pong

Jacuzzi Boys Ping Pong

Mag Mag

Yep folks, more Jacuzzi Boys. So what we have here is “Ping Pong”, Tropical Beach Goth at its finest. I snagged this release at their most recent SF headlining show at Bottom of the Hill along with a rad Parrot vibes shirt a few weeks ago. Wondering if the band’s down with that Cheeseburger in Paradise way of life. Not judging. I am all about that beach life too, as I am actual native Haole. The fellas came out in full force with a muderous set that included several of these jams along with old favorites including some featured in my other review of 2015’s “Happy Damage” plugged here http://www.buddyhead.com/2016/05/16/jacuzzi-boys/. Anyhow, after the show with ears still ringing and a body throbbing from spazzing like someone diagnosed with Micheal Stipe stage dance disorder, I threw this cd into my car. Throwing the volume knob to Spinal Tap absurdity as I drove my car to bed.  The JB’s music cascading all over the empty corners of San Francisco.

Just twelve real cool tunes under 40 minutes. Basically all killer no filler. 2013’s self titled etched a special place amongst my ears at probably my favorite JB but this one’s been growing on me fast. I seem to be loving it harder with each listen. It just sounds straight up polished and I mean that in a very great way. Iggy Pop, yeah, you know that guy, gave ‘em a huge shout out on his BBC4 radio show a few weeks ago and played “Boys Like Blood”. So you know if they got Mr. Osterberg’s seal of approval you should basically finish reading about how good this record is then go buy it. Anyhow my three favorite tracks are “Lucky Blade”, “Seventeen” and “Can’t Fight Forever”.

“Lucky Blade” ushers us into this musical odyssey. It’s a fine opener as Gabe strums the opening and Danny slinks the bass while Diego eventually counts in and the song revs up to full steam. Lots of “Woah’s” careening softly as drums bash away with abandonment as a sharp piano ticks away. You get that signature airy Jacuzzi vocal template wafting in-between band’s deft interplay.

“Seventeen” is my favorite song off this record. It’s a bit of a slow burner from the start, sorta like a sonic cousin to 2013’s “Over the Zoom”, another favorite of mine. Diego and Danny lock up that rhythm tighter than a terrible bank heist film premise while Gabe grills the rest of the song with mellowed out slabs of guitar. Crooning about the perils of teenagerdom especially in the lusting hemisphere. As each chorus of “Seventeen, what a dream” builds, its followed by scribbles of effects and the breezy harmony of the bands’ Ohhh’s before a heinous blast of guitar rattles your senses.

“Can’t Fight Forever” is a dialed in fuzz beast. Gabe takes your ears and face hostage erupting into sonic guitar wounds that spill out while Diego and Danny steady the mess. At first it seems like the lyrics reflect this downtrodden reflection yet it blasts into more a more opportunist rationale as Gabe eventually beckons for a cool time. Yet the chorus still reminds us that they’re up against an obstacle they cannot overcome. It still slays. They keep churning out great music. Go buy this shit now.

“Boys Like Blood”

“Lucky Blade”

“Seventeen”

[hertlocker]

Jacuzzi Boys “Happy Damage EP” MAG MAG Records Well, damn. I never thought this would come to fruition. Yet, here I am writing a Buddyhead record review. I am Alex. It’s nice to meet...

[hertlocker]

Bleached

[hertlocker]

Alex Herter reviews the new one from San Diego's classiest band Mrs. Magician.

Thank you web.archive. I was finally able to track down backups of most of my record reviews that I wrote at Buddyhead back in 2106. 

[hertlocker]

One of my absolutely favorite bands on the planet. @hotsnakesband Destroying @thechapelsf last night. Of all the amazing shows & other grand music I’ve heard/seen this year, this show encapsulates a very special place in my heart and more importantly my ears. Couldn’t stop smiling the whole show. Very pitted. So excited for the new record in 2018. This except from Steve Birmingham’s Chunklet 2011 Fun Fun Fun recap is pretty much how last night’s show unfolded, “But then Hot Snakes reunite. And the pure power of rock-n-roll’s liberating glory courses through me. Rick Froberg’s voice was “holy fucking shit” unwavering & guitarist John Reis, bassist Gar Wood and both drummers Jason Kourkounis & Mario Rubalcaba are still tighter than bark on trees.” 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🐍🐍🐍🐍 #hotsnakes #subpop #swamisoundsystem #thechapelsf #livemusic #sf #sandiegomusic #mellowunharshed #sopitted (at The Chapel)

[hertlocker]

@agiantdog killing at @hemlocktavernsf last night. I’ve very fortunate to see them & their other band @sweetspiritband sweetspiritband this year. Really great shows. BAF - Bombastic As FUuck. Both bands released really great albums this year. If either band comes near you check them out. #agiantdog #sweetspiritband #BAF #livemusic #sf #shotonshittycameraphone (at Hemlock Tavern)

[hertlocker]

@misterheavenlyband rippin’ @casbahsandiego last night. #livemusic #10daysleftofrocktober #sandiego #hashtag #unharshedmellow #manwolfs (at Casbah San Diego)

[hertlocker]

@courtneymelba , @kurtvile & the Sea Lice last night at the @foxoakland. A superb evening of great music. The cloud of mellow vibes weren’t harshed in any fashion. #foxtheateroakland #courtneybarnett #kurtvile #sealice #oakland #livemusic #coloradokoolaid #mellowunharshed #hashtag (at Fox Theater - Oakland)

[hertlocker]

Another unreleased safety video we made along time ago. This time it’s “Ladder Safety” Crew: Talent: Dusty, Rafael, Lamar, Matt, Tasha & me. #safetyfirst #safetyvideo #ladders #aframe #setlife #frienships #whatsyourfavoriteladderandwhy #hashtag #minionstoledustyslook

[hertlocker]

Killer sets by @warpaintwarpaintofficial & @depechemode last night at Oracle. My flippers were a little sore afterwards from all the furious clap-alongs. They played for well over two hours and every minute was worth it. Excellent set lighting. Forgot how much joy this band used to bring me in my formative years. #depechemode #warpaint #oakland #livemusic #shows #neverletmedownagain (at Oracle Arena and Oakland Alameda County Coliseum)

[hertlocker]

Really excited Christopher Owens has a new band @curlstheband. Really dug what I saw last night. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more of Curls. #livemusic #sf #curlstheband #unharshedmellow #hashtag (at The Midway SF)

[hertlocker]

@theohsee ripped as usual. Recovering from a real good face melter. Night one of two at #GAMH #sf #livemusic #facepeeler #rawk #theohsees (at Great American Music Hall)

[hertlocker]

Did this really happen last night? Still in a bit of shock. I feel stupidly lucky I was part of the 350 Wonka golden ticket winners that got to witness the fabled @jawbreakermusic perform @Rickshaw last night. Nestled inside this rabid and star struck crowd, we sang their songs, songs that have been hibernating inside for a very long time, right out of our chests. When the set was over and they abandoned the stage we all remained stranded, rabid for more music. They flat out murdered it. What a memorable night. #jawbreaker #livemusic #sf #crucialsfbands #90s (at Rickshaw Stop)