EARMILK proudly presents "Under the Crust": a bi-weekly feature/playlist featuring 30 tracks from must-hear projects in punk, indie, alternative, emo, garage, hardcore and everything in between. Every two weeks we'll update our playlist and provide six blurbs on recent bands we've delved into, tracks we believe deserve more attention, bands we've heard locally in our DIY-communities, bands who have reached out to us, or bands/songs who simply have missed your radar, alongside a few oldies/goodies.
If you've got any recommendations on who should be included in our next Under the Crust entry, shoot an email over to gorillacortez (at) gmail.com with the subject: UNDER THE CRUST. We'll peep.
This past week I've been prepping for Hurricane Irma and all of her mightiness. In the middle of frantically sifting between browser tabs of weather reports and Amazon pages of batteries and flashlights (they sold out before I made a fucking decision), I've been slowly constructing a playlist that will reflect the moods I'll be in these next few days.
This weekend, I'll be happy I could possibly be off work. Terrified I'm going to be isolated for a day or two in a cloudy home that'll be covered in rain, maybe clapped with a tree branch or two. And apathetic, anxious. Bored of my time inside, scared of its outcome.
I honestly don't think this playlist represents my Irma goal, but I think do think it's great, nonetheless. It was crafted for my Irma entertainment, for when the power goes out. I saw A Band Called Death recently and it's got me on a proto-punk kick lately, so there's a few bands scattered in this bi-week's Under the Crust that represent that era. I've also been finding more screamo/hardcore bands I've been digging, so there's that too. A wide mix, I hope.
Hopefully this playlist keeps me company this long weekend ahead. Stay safe, fellow Floridians. Peace to Houston, Victoria, Barbuda and Puerto Rico.
Here's this week's six tings:
1. mclusky "Fuck This Band"
I guess we'll start this playlist off slow. Lately I've been listening to a lot of internet radio and a DJ played this track and I dug it heavy. I've heard mclusky before, but I haven't dug deep into their lore yet. I know they're a three-piece group from Wales and they kick major ass. This playlist starts off as sort of a reminder for me to check out a full mclusky project, sooner than later. They're like Fugazi to some folks overseas. The lyrics "Fuck this band and their demon seed / Cause if they burst out, you're responsible," speak to me.
2. Future of the Left "Arming Eritrea"
Well, in 2006 mclusky is broke up and singer Andrew Falkous (Falco) started a new group called Future of the Left. This is the first track off their 2009 album Travels with Myself and Another. I feel like I've flirted with the idea of listening to mclusky so hard, I've managed to somehow get into their side projects and offshoots more than them. This is definitely the scene that strives off that aspect. Listen to Falco rip his throat out on "Arming Eritra." That guitar is super gritty.
3. Japandroids "Tell Hell With Good Intentions"
Here's Japandroids covering a mclusky song, "To Hell With Good Intentions." If it weren't for this track from their EP album thing No Singles, I'd have no idea who mclusky was. Shouts to Japandroids. Also, peep one of the coolest photoshoots I've seen for a band ever up above.
4. Skinny Girl Diet "Okay"
One of the radio shows I've been listening to a ton has been Skinny Girl Diet on NTS. I didn't know they were an actual band until this week. This song shreds they're three baddass chicks from London. Dig it. Check out their website for rad aesthetic.
5. Casper Skulls "You Can Call Me Allocator"
Toronto post-punk band Casper Skulls have announced their debut album releasing in November on Buzz Records. One of the singles for the project is "You Can Call Me Allocator." It's got this dreamy vibe during the chorus I love, and a pumelling rhythm section that's less-intensified by strings and big guitars. Be on the lookout for Mercy Works.
6. Heccra "This Is Cinema"
Heccra is a mysterious man. Creating music by himself, Heccra uses a huge array of instruments and sounds that blend chiptune, emo, hardcore, punk, indie and pop. With a knack for catchy melodies, it's a surprise his career didn't take off shortly after his fantastic EP The Last Weekend of Summer dropped in late 2012. Heccra's been relatively silent (and hopefully busy) in the past few years, but this song and project will always been a comfort jam for me.
