Gleam Garden - S/T 10"

Snuffy Smiles (2016)

I've been sitting on this 10" for a really long time.  I don't know exactly why it's taken me so long to review it.  I think it has something to do with the fact that every time I pick it up to review, I try to figure out where all of the songs have come from before and that ends up taking up too much time so I just waiting until another day.

Well that other day is today.  I think I've finally figured it out.  Of the eight songs on this 10", five of them were previously released on a split cassette with Tony's Bite, two were released on a split 7" with Chestnut Road and one of them was on a split flexi with Car10.  I don't have that Car10 split, so if anyone knows where I can get one of those, please let me know.

I've been listening to Gleam Garden for years.  They are one of the best punk rock bands in Japan and the eight songs on this 10" just prove that even more.  These songs are poppy and straightforward and perhaps a bit less noisy than some of their older releases.  But don't worry that's actually a compliment as they've still managed to maintain the energy of the past records, with a tighter focus on hooks and vocal melodies.  These are some of the best songs they've released in my opinion.

I haven't heard much from these guys since this 10" came out, but rest assured I will continue to pick up everything they release.  Provided I know it has come out.  (Seriously, if anyone can get me that split flexi with Car10, I'm buying.)

Gleam Garden - S/T 10" (Four of the eight songs are on this Bandcamp page)
https://gleamgarden.bandcamp.com/album/gleam-garden-10

Gleam Garden - Singles 2006 - 2013 CD

Snuffy Smiles (2015)

This was a CD that was on my list of things to hunt down while in Japan.  I have to once again thank Kazu from Waterslide records for helping me find it.  Due to its minimal artwork and lack of a spine, I don't know if I would have tracked this down on my own.  Luckily, Kazu found it at one of the record stores we went to and now it is in my collection.

Gleam Garden has been one of the great Japanese bands of the last decade.  They have a few albums out and have released a lot of singles.  This CD compiles most of their 7"s along with a few CD and compilation tracks.  I had most of these songs previously from the various Snuffy Smile 7"s in their catalog, though the compilation songs included are new to me.  Also, it's kind of nice to have everything on one CD that I can just play from start to finish.  Sure, it would be nice if this was an LP, but singles comps are one of those times where I really don't have a problem with their not being a vinyl release.  After all, I do have just about all of these songs on vinyl from the 7"s.

Musically, Gleam Garden are simply amazing.  Fast and loud, they come roaring at you with their guitar attack.  You can hear hints of Dickie Hammond style riffs on some songs, while on others the chord progressions are more immediate and stripped down.  No matter what the song, Gleam Garden is always there to cram in a hook or a chorus that makes you want to start jumping around whatever room you are in.  They've managed to capture an energy in these recordings that can elude so many bands.

Simply put, I just love this band and wish they got more attention here in America.  Pick this or any of their other records up if you see them.

Gleam Garden - "Factory" (this is a live version, but the studio version is on this comp):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT3l4XJlYcs

Gleam Garden - "Evaporation" (Also a live version, I can't really find many of the regular versions floating around online)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfwC1_gshJg

Gleam Garden / Chestnut Road - Split 7" - Green Vinyl (Japanese Cover)

 

Snuffy Smiles / Brassneck (2015)

This is the Japanese version of the Gleam Garden / Chestnut Road split 7".  The songs are the same as the UK version, so you can click on yesterday's review of this 7" for more details about the music.  In a nutshell, both bands are insanely good and you should buy this 7" immediately if not sooner.

Also, in case you missed it yesterday, PopKid will be joining these fine labels (Brassneck & Snuffy Smiles) and we are going to be putting out the new Chestnut Road full length album very soon.  We're just waiting on a few more things and then you'll be able to hear this great, great record.  In the mean time, we have one song from that album "Handshake," streaming over at the PopKid Bandcamp page.  Check it out and let me know what you think:

Chestnut Road - "Handshake":
https://popkid.bandcamp.com/album/lp-ii

Gleam Garden / Chestnut Road - Split 7" - Green Vinyl (UK Version)

 

Brassneck / Snuffy Smiles (2015)

Now we're really talking.  A split 7" by two bands that I already have a bunch of records by and two bands that I just love.  Plus, with the addition of Brassneck records as a label co-conspirator, we get a rare Snuffy Smiles 7" on green vinyl.  This 7" was made with two covers.  The one is pictured above is of the Brassneck version.  Snuffy Smiles has their own exclusive cover for this record, but I'll post that picture tomorrow.

We'll start up with Gleam Garden.  A wonderful Japanese band that have been cranking out tremendous records for the last few years.  They've managed to pull from the influences of older Japanese pop punk bands like Blew or Husking Bee, but still keep things interesting and fresh.  Both songs on this record are just picture perfect examples what Gleam Garden is capable of.  "Empty Night, Empty Cry" is an upbeat and ultra catchy rocker in the best possible way.  "Stop The World" slows things down just a bit but still maintains the energy that the band is known for.  The closing moments of the song, in particular, are just perfect.

The other band on this record are from France.  They are Chestnut Road and if you've been reading my website for any length of time you know how much I love this band.  Even though they are from a completely different country, they are carrying the torch of my favorite music scenes ever, the mid 90s melodic punk rock of the UK.  The most obvious comparison is to the band Broccoli, but you can certainly hear how the band has been influenced by other bands from that scene as well as some of the great Japanese bands of the 90s like Lovemen or Blew.  Their two songs on this split are just as good as anything the band has ever released.  I just adore this band and encourage you to buy anything of theirs you can get your hands on.

And now an unpaid message from PopKid Records:

Speaking of which, I like Chestnut Road so much, I'm going to help people get their hands on at least one of their records.  There's a little something up on the PopKid Records website as well, but I'm thrilled to announce that PopKid will be releasing the new Chestnut Road full length in a few weeks. It's the first new record we're putting out on PopKid in about ten years.  I couldn't be more excited and I can't wait to tell you more about it and start selling these records.  We're not going to do a preorder because we hate those. Once the records are in hand, they will be for sale.  You will be able to get this new record in the US from PopKid, in Europe from the wonderful Brassneck Records and In Japan from the legendary Snuffy Smiles.  We're streaming one song from the record on our Bandcamp page, so go check it out here: https://popkid.bandcamp.com/album/lp-ii

And publicly, please let me thank Scott from Brassneck, Yoichi from Snuffy Smiles and everyone in Chestnut Road for letting us be a part of this album.  We couldn't be more excited.

Gleam Garden / Chestnut Road - Split 7":
https://brassneckrecords.bandcamp.com/album/gleam-garden-chestnut-road-split-7

V/A - Snuffy Smiles Presents: Puke & Destroy 2 7" (Gleam Garden,What-A-Night's, Tenement, Holy Shit)

V/A - Snuffy Smiles Presents: Puke & Destroy 2 7" (Gleam Garden, What-A-Night's, Tenement, Holy Shit), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Snuffy Smiles (2013)

Life doesn't get much better than a Snuffy Smiles compilation. Especially when it pairs 2 of my absolute favorite Japanese bands and 1 of my favorite American bands. The deal with this 7" is that each band contributes 2 songs. One quick 30 second long one, then another longer track.

I could go on for days and days about how much I love Gleam Garden and What-A-Night's and you really need to look no further than this 7" to see why. Gleam Garden's 30 second long song isn't anything special, but their 2nd one, "It Smelled Good," is pretty great. Neither is quite as good as their most recent CD, but this band is outstanding. What-A-Night's just kill on both of their contributions. They cram a lot of greatness into the 30 second one, and "Cry for Nothing" is also a hit. This band has tons of energy and write some of the best hooks coming out of Japan right now.

For the US side Tenement 30 second long song (like What-A-Night's) isn't really a standout, but "The Block Is Safe Again" is a really strong mid tempo rocker with great backing harmonies. Tenement is one of the best US bands going and I suggest you buy as many of their records as you can. Holy Shit isn't really my copy of tea, they lean more to the hardcore, really fast side of things and that was just never a style the clicked with me, especially as I've gotten older.

All in, this is a great 7", but really you should always be buying everything that comes out with the Snuffy Smiles logo on it, they can do no wrong.

Gleam Garden - Brilliant Nightmare CD

Gleam Garden - Brilliant Nightmare CD, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Perfect Music (2012)

I am very passionate about music and buying records. I truly love individual bands like Rocket From The Crypt, Snuff, Leatherface, Him Kerosene, Broccoli, Bum, Pavement and far too many more to attempt to name. There have been geographical regions that have produced so many great sounds; Ottawa is currently going through this. The UK punk from the mid 90's, San Diego has had it's moments. But there's no scene or area in the world that makes me love music more than the melodic punk that comes out of Japan. Based around the Snuffy Smiles label, there has just been amazing band after amazing band coming out of Japan for DECADES. I feel like I'll never truly be able to explain it, but these bands are just so exciting to me. One of these great bands is Gleam Garden.

They started out the way so many punk bands from Japan do, releasing 7"s on Snuffy Smiles records. Then they had a Mini CD LP a few years ago and finally they have a proper full length called Brilliant Nightmare. I'm not familiar with the label it's been released on, Perfect Music, but it seems probable that it's a large indie or maybe a major label subsidiary out in Japan. No matter what the label is, they've released a killer record.

If you like the sort of melodic punk that bands like Lovemen or Blew were pushing out in the 90's, this is a record for you. They're more melodic that some of their current counterparts and can just craft songs like nobody's business. Vocals come out in the sort of raspy Leatherface-ish yelp that I just love, but it never feels like you've being yelled out. The melodies pushed through that gruff delivery just carry the whole album.

The CD is a bit of a pain to get here in America and I want to give thanks to my pal Yuki from SP Records in Japan for helping me find a copy (Along with a bunch of other great records that I'll be taking pictures of soon). I've actually had MP3s of this album for a while, but I never feel like I truly own the record until I have that CD or LP in my hands. Speaking of which, some label out there really needs to step up to the plate and put this record out on vinyl. You'd be doing the world a great service.

Gleam Garden - This:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8tVas3naqA

V/A - Dead Broke Rekerds Four Way Split Vol. 3

V/A - Dead Broke Rekerds Four Way Split Vol. 3, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Dead Broke (2012)

This edition of the Dead Broke's 4-Way split covers something near and dear to my heart; incredible Japanese punk rock bands. It is well documented that I've been obsessed with the Japanese punk scene revolving around Snuffy Smiles records for about 15 years or so. i'm constantly trying to hunt down records by all of the bands involved. It can often be frustrating and expensive, but every once in a while a label will make it easy on me.

Dead Broke has grabbed unreleased songs from 4 bands: Gleam Garden, Browntrout, The Because and Your Pest Band. Now, while I like The Because, I've never been blown away by anything I've heard from them, but the other 3 are a who's who of the best bands going in Japan right now. The thing that sets Japanese punk bands apart from the rest of the world to me is with how much sincerity they play with. I just always believe every note and vocal that comes out of my speakers. i wish more bands could convey that kind of emotion. Regardless, this release is essential and if you put any stock into anything I write, you'll check out some songs by them below.

V/A - Dead Broke Rekerds Four Way Split Vol. 3:
deadbrokerekerds.bandcamp.com/album/dead-broke-4-way-spli...