Boiling Over - Barriers [Cassette]

Chicago's Boiling Over recently announced they are breaking up after playing the remainder of shows they have booked. This is a pretty big loss for Chicago as they are one of the best bands around right now, in my opinion. Fortunately for everyone, they recorded 5 new songs that rank among their best. If you've never heard Boiling Over, they play classic, Boston inspired hardcore, taking cues from bands like SSD, Last Rights, etc. These tracks have a much more gritty, raw feel than the Trash City 7" on LifeLine. Pat sounds even more pissed and the song "Control" might be their hardest yet. So while it's a bummer they are breaking up, at least they are going out at the top of their game. Check it.



Boiling Over - Barriers [Cassette]

The Saturday People/The Clientele Split 7"

Slumberland has a storied history of releasing great indie-pop singles and splits. So, I'm sure the idea of pairing up two fantastic singles bands in The Clientele and The Saturday People must have been a no brainer. After all, the majority of these bands finest output were singles and 7" EP's.

On the A Side is the original single version of "Grace" by The Saturday People. It was re-recorded for their LP, but in my opinion this version is head and shoulders above the later version. This song was my introduction to 'The People and it is one of, if not, THE finest recorded moment of their short tenure. "Grace" is everything a beautiful indie-pop song should be - shimmering guitars with a catchy hook and breathy vocals so delicate it seems like they could break at any moment.

On the flip side is The Clientele's contribution with "Porcelain." While it is not my favorite of their early tracks, it is a fine edition to a nearly flawless singles catalog. It's a moody, dreary track perfect for this time of year when you really want to isolate yourself from the cold, grey weather.

If you like either of these bands, or pop music in general, you need this one.


The Saturday People/The Clientele Split 7"

Omegas - Demo

I was a little late to the game on this one, but this demo is incredible. Omegas are a hardcore/punk band from Montreal that have a great take on frantic, vintage 80's hardcore. The four songs on here are all ragers that bring to mind classics like Bad Brains and Void. They have an EP entitled Sonic Order out on High Anxiety I've yet to hear, but if it continues in the same fashion as this demo then I'm sure it's great.

Omegas - Demo

Harsh Distractions Playlist - 02/09/10 w/ BIRTH

A few weeks ago Josh and Tim from Chicago band Birth came on the show to guest DJ and play some songs of their own. Here's what we played. Hopefully they will be back on the show soon to play a live set. Download links are below.

Download Hour 1

Download Hour 2

Chapterhouse - Breather - Whirlpool (intro music)

1. Oxymoron - Get a Gun - Pack Is Back - 1997
2. Quicksand - Omission - Slip - 1993
3. Rapeman - Dutch Courage - Two Nuns and a Pack Mule - 1988
4. The Abused - No End in Sight - Loud and Clear 7" - 1983
5. The Minutemen - This Ain't No Picnic - Double Nickels on the Dime - 1984
6. Drunkdriver - Ode - Born Pregnant - 2008
7. Birth - Emerging Manhood - Demo
8. Birth - Suits - Demo
9. Washed Out - Feel It All Around - Life of Leisure EP - 2009
10. Whirl - Meaningless Demo 2010
11. Witch - Rip Van Winkle - S/T
12. Secret Mountains - Gate/Gate/Paragate - Kaddish - 2009
13. Outburst - No Choice - Miles To Go EP - 1989
14. Rome - To Die Among Strangers - Flowers From Exile - 2009
15. White Zombie - Diamond Ass - Soul Crusher - 1987
16. The Jesus Lizard - Nub - Goat - 1991
17. The Burbon Knights - Manner Mit Bartes - 2009
18. The Melvins - Nude with Boots - Nude with Boots - 2008
19. Electric Eyes - 1st Track - Demo
20. Huey Lewis - The Heart of Rock n Roll - Sports - 1984
21. Swans - Cop - Cop - 1984
22. Dinosaur Jr - Forget the Swan - Dinosaur - 1985

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Harsh Distractions Playlist 02/02/10

Here is the playlist from 2/2/10. Download links are at the bottom.

1. Chapterhouse - Breather - Whirlpool (Intro)
2. Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream - Walking On A Dream – 2008
3. Like Bats - 3814 Wirth Road - Look on the Bright Side 7” – 2010
4. Veronica Falls - Found Love in a Graveyard - Found Love in a Graveyard 7”- 2010
5. Guided By Voices - Yours To Keep - Bee Thousand - 1994
6. The Saints - No Time - (I'm) Stranded – 1977
7. Implodes - Meadowlands – Demo – 2009
8. Medicine - Miss Drugstore - Shot Forth Self Living – 1992
9. Devotion - My Desert - Bastard Son Of Affluence Blues – 2009
10. Nomos - Pax – Demo – 2009
11. Some Girls - Skull's Old Girlfriends - Heaven's Pregnant Teens – 2006
12. Year Of The Rabbit - I Wanna Be Adored - Hunted EP – 2002
13. Hum - Puppets - Comin' Home 7" – 1998
14. A Place To Bury Strangers – Ocean - To Fix The Gash In Your Head – 2008
15. RazorXFade - Holy Hands - Demo 2010
16. RazorXFade – Choke - Demo 2010
17. Last Lights - The Dream Homes of Insomniacs - Last Lights 7” – 2008
18. Short Ride - Tones of the shark - Cant Keep Us Out - 2010
19. The Isolation - Dancing Away - The Isolation EP – 2009
20. Lungfish - Put Your Halo On - Talking Songs For Walking – 1991
21. Scotia Widows - Good Mosque – Demo – 2009
22. Mother Of Mercy – Demise - No Eden - 2008
23. Nuclear Family - Safety Net - S/T – 2009
24. Gene Loves Jezebel - The Immigrant - Desire 12" EP 1985
25. Teenager - Alone Again – Thirteen – 2007
26. The Boo Radleys - I Feel Nothing - Everything's Alright Forever – 1992
27. Archers of Loaf - Harnessed In Slums - Vee Vee – 1995
28. Sonic Youth – Schizophrenia - Sister – 1986
29. Puerto Rico Flowers - This is Murder - 4 Song 12" – 2010
30. Chronic Sick - Dress Code - Cutest Band In Hardcore - 1982


Hour 1

Hour 2

Japp Gutter - Heaven Dollars (Cassette)

Japp Gutter are a San Francisco/Chicago based noise project featuring Matt from Running Ben from The Pagan Blonde and a few friends. It's a blown out, lo-fi wave of distortion with desperate, buried vocals somewhere within. I'd love to get my hands on the lyrics because I'm sure they are hilarious. Check it out!

Japp Gutter - Heaven Dollars (Cassette)

Buy the cassette from Priority Male Tapes

Harsh Distractions Playlist - 1/26/10

Last week Eric came in and we discussed Nirvana, played some tunes and generally had a great time. Here is what we played. Download links are at the bottom.

Chapterhouse – Breather – Whirlpool (intro music)
1. Nirvana - Anuerysm - Live at Reading Festival
2. Harvey Milk - Barnburner - Life....The Best Game in Town
3. Girl Alliance - Lost – EP
4. The Mighty Lemon Drops - Inside Out - World Without End
5. Fugazi - Repeater - Repeater
6. Whirl - Leave - Demo
7. Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
8. Beat Happening – Noise- You Turn Me On
9. Aerosols - God is USA's Terrorist - S/T LP
10. Minor Threat - Look Back and Laugh
11. Cruel Hand - Life In Shambles - Prying Eyes
12. Shark Attack - Foreign Job Lot (Antidote Cover) - Discography
13. No Tolerance - Pay The Cost - Demo 08
14. Nirvana - Very Ape - In Utero
15. Free Spirit - Stand As One - Be Yourself Demo
16. Agnostic Front - Society Sucker - Victim In Pain (Reissue)
17. Radiohead - There There - Hail to the Thief
18. Weed Hounds - Best Friends - Demo [Cassette]
19. Ringworm - No one Dies Alone - Ringworm/Terror Split 7"
20. Tigers Jaw - Meet Me At The Corner - Spirit Desire
21. Black Flag - My War - '82 Demo
22. Iron Lung/Walls/Pig Heart Transplant - Sexless//No Sex
23. Deftones - Knife Party - White Pony

Harsh Distractions Playlist - 1/26/10 Hour 1

Harsh Distractions Playlist - 1/26/10 Hour 2