Art Is Hard records have unleashed the next track from their forthcoming split 73, and today it's the turn of Joanna Gruesome to incessantly force themselves into our heads with the rather brilliant Sweater . Joining Gum , Keel Her and Playlounge on the release, the five piece offer up a crushing burst of noise-pop, all sugary Yo La Tengo -ish vocals set against a tirade of muddy riffs. Quite how it manages to be instantly nostalgic while still sounding so damn fresh is unknown to us. So just [...]
Art Is Hard have unveiled plans to release two split 7" featuring one track from each of the following four bands, Gum , Playlounge , Joanna Gruesome and KEEL HER . continue reading >>
Well if there's any shit going down in Edinburgh this week I am not going to be there to enjoy it. Not out of shame at having just used the term 'shit going down' as if I was a teenager in the nineties, but because my gigfuns will be happening in London and Glasgow this week. Tomorrow I am in London to see Rob St. John and Neil from Meursault play at the Vortex, and then on Thursday I'll be in Glasgow for the Fence Records Christmas party. And funnily enough, with Detour, Frightened Rabbit and Jill O'Sullivan [...]
Playing live in a basement near Fallowfield for your enjoyment THE BLACK TAMOURINES JOANNA GRUESOME DOLFINZ Text 07724767463 to get your name on the list. Limited availability. Details sent out on the 15th. It's gonna be wild.
This is rough, chaotic and bristling with cheerful energy. There are elements of all the usual lo-fi garage stuff that you've heard me discuss at length, with shades of early Britpop, albeit from back when that genre was still heavily indebted to C86 indie, and before it turned to shit. And it is, of course, slathered in feedback, fuzz and distortion. At its best it's also just... well, reckless, I suppose. The pace, and the deadpan female vocals remind be a little of The Just Joans in some ways, but Joanna Gruesome themselves clatter along like they're making [...]
Bleerch, bleurgh... I feel completely disgusting. I had a really good sleep last night, but that translated into a day spent wasting my time fannying about and just lolling in that way that seems like a good idea at the time, but invariably ends up making you feel completely disgusting by the end. Also, to make matters worse, we ordered pizza, which is something we hardly ever do and something which we absolutely always regret. So here we sit on a Friday evening feeling bloated and slightly soiled and wondering whether at this time of the night there's [...]
Following the success of our last show under the Zeitgeist banner, Nathan Horrorshow Tunes and I have decided to do it all again (only this time without the lugging of a heavy drum kit across Kingston, twice). This time we've booked three of the most exciting UK bands (as opposed to just the two last time), bringing The Black Tambourines , Joanna Gruesome , and Playlounge . All three will play at The Cricketers in [...]
Facebook / joannagruesome.bandcamp.com I listened to Joanna Gruesome for the first time with some trepidation, I'm not sure if it was the use of the word gruesome bringing unpleasant memories or the similarities in name to Joanna Newsom (not that I hate her, opposite). Now that I've listened to them I've decided two things, firstly I quite like the name and secondly, that I needn't have worried because the Cardiff five piece have everything going for them, a delightful combination of sweet indie-pop and grungy garage rock which you can hear on [...]
I keep fretting about over-pimping my commercial enterprises on this blog, but I really should just stop worrying. Putting on live shows is not much more than an extension of me insisting on telling you what sort of music to listen to, so really there's not much difference between haranguing you about your buying habits and haranguing you about what you do in your free time really, is there. So, after a fantastic gig with The Last Battle, Dad Rocks! and Shoes and Socks Off, and a brilliant day in Anstruther with Hott Toadzzz! it's probably time to [...]
Joanna Gruesome are fast becoming my favourite new band of the minute for their kick-ass 90s lo-fi sound, and new track Lemonade Grrl could well seal the deal. Expanding on their previous work, and still taking influence from the likes of MBV, The Cherry Smash, Rocketship and Beat Happening, it's twee yet 'FUCKYEAH' at the same time from the Cardiff five-piece. The distorted guitar, the harmonised vocals, the lo-fi drum noise - t all sounds so right. News of new releases soon, apparently. Joanna Gruesome - Lemonade Grrl [...]
What to say about new Cardiff 5-piece Joanna Gruesome? A comment on the name? A comparison to the gazey, jangly twee pop of the likes of The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart or Yuck (or countless other earlier bands)? A reflection on the brilliantly distorted bending guitar work or the top driving bass lines? A thought on the sometimes slightly iffy (hey, it's still early days) saccharine vocals? Nah, I'll let the music do the talking. Joanna Gruesome - Talking To Yr Dick [...]
GoldFlakePaint
One For The People
Song, by Toad
Pigeon Post.
Basement Fever
Just Music That I Like
Antony and the Johnsons - "Rise"
Santigold – The Keepers (Duke Dumont Remix)
