V/A - Something To Du 7" - Blue Vinyl

V/A - Something To Du 7" - Blue Vinyl, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Dead Broke / Drunken Sailor (2013)

I'll be the first to admit, I may not be the best person to judge this record as a tribute to Husker Du. I know I'm in the minority, but I've always been more of a Sugar guy. So I'm much, much more familiar with the Sugar records than I am with the Husker Du catalog. That being said, I was really looking forward to this 7" as it paired up a lot of bands that I really like.

The 7" starts off with Unfun and their take on "The Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill" and flat out I do not like this. Sure the original is a little blown out and a little shouty, but Unfun really takes it too far and this is just an overblown screaming mess of a song. Tenement, one of my favorite current bands, takes on "Obnoxious" and also takes that song way over the top. It's just a shouting, borderline inaudible pile of fuzz. Things get back on track with Crow Bait's "Dead Set on Destruction," which is the first track you can hear the music and lyrics on. Good production and a catchy take on the original.

Over on the B-side, Bent Outta Shape leads off with "Terms Of Psychic Warfare." it's another one of the highlights of the 7". Nice guitar tones and a clarity missing from a lot of the other songs. The best cover on this 7" is turned in by Dauntless Elite. The chose "I Don't Know What You're Talking About," one of Husker Du's catchier songs, and really took some creative license with it. The Dauntless Elite version puts a real UK/Clash/The Tone spin on the song and manages to make the it their own. Lastly we have another one of my favorites; Your Pest Band from Japan. Their version of Green Eyes is dreamy and swampy and vaguely feels like it was recorded underwater. It's not my favorite thing they've done, but does kind of fit in with their more recent records, which have definitely been heading in this direction.

So, I guess I'm kind of disappointed in this record. The bands that I was most excited to hear didn't live up to my lofty expectations, but bands I wasn't expecting really shined. It's always tough judging a band based on cover songs, so I'll just say it's an interesting record to listen, but maybe not an essential one to own.

V/A - Something To Du 7":
drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/husker-du-tribute-7

The Steve Adamyk Band / Dauntless Elite - Split 7" - Green Vinyl(/100) & Brown Vinyl (/200)

The Steve Adamyk Band / Dauntless Elite - Split 7" - Green Vinyl (/100) & Brown Vinyl (/200), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

All In Vinyl (2013)

For me this was the main event of the 2013 All In Vinyl single series, new songs by The Steve Adamyk Band. But, let's start off with Dauntless Elite. A band that has been kicking around for a good many years at this point, I first came across them through a Snuffy Smiles split 7" a while ago, but never really followed up on them. Their songs on this 7" are quite good really. Catchy, with unique guitar play. This is a band i really need to hear more of.

As far as the Steve Adamyk Band side goes, it's just 2 more hit songs from one of the best bands currently playing. Idles Hands-esque punchy guitar riffs into big choruses. Another great showing, though I do have one comment to make. I'm not sure if it is a result of the recording or of the actual pressing of the record, but these too songs seem to really lean on the treble side of the spectrum. You can't really hear the bass at all and everything sounds a bit tinny. Nothing that will spoil the great tunes, but it's the first time I've ever had anything remotely critical to say about this band.

The Steve Adamyk Band / Dauntless Elite - Split 7"
allinvinyl.bandcamp.com/album/split-7-10

Calvinball / Rumspringer / Mayflower / Dauntless Elite - 4 Way Split 7"- Blue Vinyl (/500)

Calvinball / Rumspringer / Mayflower / Dauntless Elite - 4 Way Split 7" - Blue Vinyl (/500), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Not Shy Of The DIY (2011)

First off, this write up is the start of a test of cross posting some of these pictures to Instagram (username: TimPopKid). I can't quite figure out all of the little easy cross-posting details, so if this begins to be a pain in the neck, Instagram is getting the ax. Plus the write up will only be on the website, I do not have the patience to type all of this this out on my phone. Lastly, I took the photo of this record a few times and I think it looks kind of bad & fuzzy. Right now I'm blaming it on having to take the picture from far enough away to accommodate Instagram's need to have a perfectly square photo. Again, first time going through, I find it all annoying. I will give it at least a week before I make a final judgment.

OK, so this record crept up on me, and I had no idea it had been out for nearly 2 years. I stumbled across it in a distro when I was picking up something else and there's no way I'm passing up anything with a Rumspringer song on it. Said song is great as usual and I cannot wait for their new album coming out this year.

The other 3 bands also put forth some strong songs in the melodic, gruff vocal, Dillinger Four-ish punk vein. I was previously familiar with Calvinball & Dauntless Elite, having other 7"s by both bands. Mayflower was new to me and really impressed with the super catchy sing along chorus of their song. I'm going to have make a note to check out more of their records.

Calvinball / Rumspringer / Mayflower / Dauntless Elite - 4 Way Split 7":
notshyofthediy.bandcamp.com/album/boozehounds-7