Green/Blue is a relatively new band made up of Minneapolis punk lifers: Jim Blaha of the Blind Shake, Annie Sparrows of Soviettes and Awesome Snakes, Danny Henry (also of Awesome Snakes) and Hideo Takahashi of the Birthday Suits. “Green/Blue makes an ominous jangle, pitched somewhere between catchy garage pop and goth-y post-punk,” observed Jennifer Kelly in her review of the band’s Paper Thin, out in June on the Feel It Label. “Imagine the Bats having a nightmare or the Wipers on a girl-group jag, and you’re part of the way there.” For this Dusted, Jim Blaha lists ten things that inspire him to make records.
Guided by Voices — Vampire on Titus
My all-time favorite record. I bought it when I was young and immediately sold it. I didn’t understand it. About four years later, I kept hearing these songs in my head and I couldn’t place where I heard them. Then I realized it was that harsh, noisy, strange record I bought a few years back. I immediately ran to the record store and bought it again. Its otherworldliness just seeped in and has never left. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a Midwest winter night…
Field Mice — “Emma’s House”
I have listened to this song once a week for almost two years now. Some songs are like that. When I hear the guitar opening it just feels like going back in time. Like that “A Stop at Willoughby” episode of the Twilight Zone.
The Go-Betweens — “I Need Two Heads/Stop Before You Say It” 7”
This record just never gets old. It has an otherworldly feel to it and feels like they are making it up as they play it. I can’t tell if it’s just kind arbitrary or if they rehearsed it for months before they recorded it. It’s an entire world and it’s just two songs. Great lyrics too!
Michael Yonkers — “162”
I am so lucky that I got to play with and make records with Michael Yonkers, but I am way more lucky to get to call him my friend. He has such a sweet soul. When I hear his music, I just have to brace myself because it almost knocks me down. I chose this song because I love to hear just him sometimes. There is a dark innocence to it.
Tascam 388
So many people swear by this machine and I guess I am one of them.
All of the Green/Blue songs are written on this first and then we learn to play them as a band later. It’s a good system!
Robert Pokorny crayon drawings
I saw this artist’s work on Instagram and immediately became a fan. My favorite series that he has done is his works with crayon on paper. So immediate and simple but with such depth. I love the idea of going back to the most basic thing we ALL learned to make art with as little kids but make it yours as an adult.
Check out his Instagram: @robertpokorny
Low (the band)
Although I don’t always keep up with everything they do, I feel comforted knowing that they are there up in Duluth making something that will be completely honest and totally original. They are like a mountain that is just always there and every time you look at it there is something new to see.
Hannah Hoch (collage artist)
I love making collages, and whenever I need inspiration I take a quick peek at her work, and I remember how amazing of an art form collage can be. It’s quick, not very messy and you can create new worlds so quickly!
The Clean — “Point that thing Somewhere Else”
What a band. Once again, feels so off the cuff yet so perfect. When I hear this song I want to grab the guitar and start playing!
Green/Blue Explore the Darker Strain of Fuzzy Punk on the First Single from Their Forthcoming 'Paper Thin' LP
Green/Blue Explore the Darker Strain of Fuzzy Punk on the First Single from Their Forthcoming ‘Paper Thin’ LP
Green/Blue apparently release music with the same urgency as they play it. Coming hot on the heels of their January 2022 album Offering on Hozac Records, the group are releasing Paper Thin in the coming weeks, and the first tracks “In Lies” & “Moving On” blend the groups charging garage punk with a darker strain of sound, creating what may their most atmospheric sound yet. The propulsive,…
Listen to the First Song Off Green/Blue's Forthcoming Offering LP, Out Soon on HoZac Records
Listen to the First Song Off Green/Blue’s Forthcoming Offering LP, Out Soon on HoZac Records
Sometimes you just need some fuzzy guitars and a panther-quick BPM to get you through the week. Luckily for us, Green/Blue, the local punk supergroup bringing together former members of beloved groups The Blind Shake, Soviettes/Awesome Snakes and Birthday Suits, are coming to the rescue to save us from the January doldrums. Check out the sugary buzzsaw that is “Day Gone” below to get a taste, and…
Bandcamp Friday: Green/Blue's New Garage Punk Single "Waiting"
Bandcamp Friday: Green/Blue’s New Garage Punk Single “Waiting”
We love us some Green/Blue here at Reviler and we were excited to see a new song pop up on their Bandcamp page. Listen below to their crackling, high-energy garage punk on their new single “Waiting,” which drops just in time for Bandcamp Day (3/5), a monthly event where every dollar you spend goes directly to the band. Buy Buy Buy!
Waiting (Single) by Green/Blue
Green/Blue Return With More Boisterous Garage Punk on "I'm Not Here"
Green/Blue Return With More Boisterous Garage Punk on “I’m Not Here”
Following quickly on the heels of their outstanding 2020 self-titled debut, local garage punk super group Green/Blue are back with their first new offering of 2021. The four piece, bringing together former players from The Blind Shake, Soviettes/Awesome Snakes and Birthday Suits, continue the band’s adventures into speaker-cracking, melodic garage punk on “I’m Not Home.”
If you like your lo-fi,…
SONG PREMIERE + Interview: John Dwyer (Thee Oh Sees) Talks His New Damaged Bug Album Covering Michael Yonkers Catalog / Listen to Unreleased Yonkers Track "In My Heart"
SONG PREMIERE + Interview: John Dwyer (Thee Oh Sees) Talks His New Damaged Bug Album Covering Michael Yonkers Catalog / Listen to Unreleased Yonkers Track “In My Heart”
John Dwyer, the hardest working man in punk rock, took a break from churning out original material under his Thee Oh Sees/Oh See monikers to make an album under his Damaged Bug nom de plume consisting entirely of songs by Minneapolis art-punk legend Michael Yonkers. The record, called Bug on Yonkers, is a stunning tribute to the unheralded legend and also an amazing link between two generations…
Listen to the Restrained Garage-Punk of "With That Face" off Green/Blue's Forthcoming Debut S/T LP
Listen to the Restrained Garage-Punk of “With That Face” off Green/Blue’s Forthcoming Debut S/T LP
We’ve been keen on Green/Blue since we first heard of them and saw their debut showlast year. How could you not? With alum from The Blind Shake, Soviettes/Awesome Snakes, and Birthday Suits, it seems almost impossible to go wrong. This week the group announced their debut LP – self-titled because let’s not go crazy – will be coming out April 17th on the great Slovenly Recordings label, home to…
