What’s up rag mag, I’m writing this intro just after getting back with wasteland chick from a carnival up the street and it was a real nice early summer day. Happy Pride too! I made it out to see The Body and the Building Infinity art show so its been a fun couple of weeks. First off I want to say solidarity with LA. The community defends itself.
This issue features new art from Coco A Go-Go, Splinters by Leela Corman, Wasteland Chick reviewing Flipper’s Ever, part 1 of photos from the Building Infinity art show, and Creature’s Double Feature. Keep sending in events, flyers, art, and columns!
Art by Coco A Go-Go
“Splinters” by Leela Corman
Wasteland Chick
Precious Roy: Better than Target or any other bullshit corporation! Salutations, fellow Wasteland Chicks. Welcome back. Buckle up and grab your Precious Roy Self-Defense Kits and keep that tornado gum at the ready, we’re gonna jump into some cool-weird shit today. My favorite. Today we’ll be reviewing “Ever” by Flipper, and let’s start with the rhythm and melody, which I give a 6.8 out of ten. It’s pretty vibe-able, but I’m not a fan of the screeching guitar and feedback in the background. It does, however, get the “rightfully angry at the world” point across, though, so that’s a definite plus! Now, let’s tackle the lyrics with some electric chairs on a stick because SWEET MARY THE LAST-MINUTE PARDON FROM THE GOVERNOR ISN’T COMING TONIGHT! Anyway, I give the lyrics a 10 out of ten, which is high but well-deserved. These lyrics are angry but understandable; We all feel these rich, intense feelings and thoughts and it’s awesome to see them represented in song. “Ever wish the human race didn’t exist, but then remember that you’re one too,” hits really hard, as this is really what a lot of peeps in the RagMag community are feeling right now, the world kinda sucks. But, we can find simple enjoyment in songs like these. Time for the overall review: I give this song a 8.5 out of ten; The rhythm and melody aren’t great, but get the point across spectacularly.
The lyrics are awesome and relatable, with a nice feeling of being angry and having fun singing about it. Our world is fire and blood (have I used that one already?), but we can still find cool things in it, so keep looking, fellow Wasteland Chicks. Cool shit abound. Bye!
Sincerely, Wasteland Chick (Fine Ham Abounds!!)
Yr ol’ pal Creature actually made it out of the house this week on a Wednesday night to see The Body at Machines with Magnets. I was glad the show moved pretty quick for Providence and I was home before 1 am. Getting too old for staying out that late on a week night. I showed up a little after doors opened and had a fun hang with good friends. Its been a decade since I last saw The Body and I was amped. The show was full with no stage, so all I saw of the bands all night was mostly the back of other people’s heads, so no pictures from me.
A Monolithic Dome opened the show and were sick! Sludgy loud slow fast punk and I hope I catch them again soon. Silver Dagger had a good 90s vibe and I really liked the guitar leads. Sunrot was up next and the crowd was getting in to their metal sounds. Brutal. The Body, as expected, crushed. So fucking heavy and just a cathartic experience to see live. What a fun Wednesday night.
I haven’t had as much time for listening to music these past two weeks, so I listened to more 7”s and 45s. One recent one that I keep returning to is Emily Robb’s Rotation-Free single on Stoned to Death. I think I’ve featured one of her previous albums in an earlier Rag mag, but this new single is fuzz explorations of the highest order. Droning guitar loops and strong personal playing becoming hypnotic until it ends with a bang. As you can see from the gallery below of pictures of some of her other records from my collection, I’m a fan.
All of her records so far have been favorite’s on my turntable. Bummed I found out she actually played at the Columbus Theater a few years back at a show I didn’t hear about. Hope I can correct that mistake soon because I imagine seeing this live will be even better.
Records of the day are a couple of recent releases. First up, the Tombs 7” by No Fucker is still getting a lot of play around the house. Anti-war d-beat. No Real Music indeed. Sometimes originality isn’t the point when the emotion gets through. sloppy noisy chaotic music recorded raw and played like they have no choice but to play it. perfect
Next up is the new LP by King Blood - Eye I Aye Ivy on Petty Bunco records. Feedback drenched experimental psych rock with riffs for days from the guitarist of early 2000s noise rock band Snake Apt. Gone is the more overt noise on previous LPs on Permanent Records and Richie Records with more overt krautrock-isms and I am really digging the vibes on this one. Turn it up loud.
Soul song of the week is That’s a Promise by Helen Bryant. This is the only record that I know of that Helen Bryant recorded and it is a goddamn shame because her voice is wonderful. I’m gone, gone gone gone gone gone…..and that’s a promise.
Building Infinity - Photos By Creature
The community at Building 8 in Olneyville had a group art show over the past two weeks and it was really exciting to see so much great art. I took a ton of photos and will be sharing some of my better photos over the next few Rag mags. I will give credit where I can and apologies to any missed. Get in touch and I will update and credit.
Mike Knives - Plushie Ritual
Katie Weimer - Mirror and glass sculpture
Sarah Heggan
Quinn Miller - video of a piece of a larger work
That’s it for Rag Mag this week punks. Check out the events below and hope to see you there.
