In keeping with the implicit mission statement of this blog: And now to something completely different - Silverfish from the UK.I guess this record by default gets branded with the “grunge” label, simply because it came out around “that time” and has some hard-rocking guitars, but also isn’t really punk/hardcore. But Silverfish are clearly settled at the far end of that genre, owing more to hardcore than most of their contemporaries.
“Fat Axl” sounds like the Bastard child of Mudhoney’s “Superfuzz Bigmuff” and Helmet’s “Meantime”. The songs are quite repetitive in parts (like Helmet), and there are shredding distorted guitars, that occasionally venture into some fucked-up blues riffs. That impression is only reinforced by the raw production that makes it sound as if the tracks were recorded through a cell phone. However, this is all made worthwhile by the raging/snarling vocals of singer Lesley Rankine. It’s hard to imagine that very shortly after the demise of Silverfish Lesley fronted a trip-hop project named “Ruby”. There she lends her soulful voice to very mellow, trippy beats.
But this isn’t anything like that at all. Here she screams and curses like a good Riot Grrl should (“why don’t you kill yourself, fucker”).
In parts “Fat Axl” also reminds me a bit of Nation of Ulysses’ first album “13 Point Program to destroy America”, which has the same hectic energy, but “Fat Axl” is less refined, both musically and lyrically. But that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. Silverfish just don’t bother with the same sensibilities that the D.C. scenesters do. It might also have to do with the fact that Silverfish were from the UK and that (strangely enough) this record was released on Touch and Go. Whatever the reason (and I basically don’t know anything about the band’s biography), if you like raw female energy and a super fuzzed-out guitar, then this record might be for you.
Silverfish had some EPs before this (collected on “Cockeye”) and a second LP after this (“Organ Fan”, 1992). “Organ Fan” is probably overall the better crafted record. Everything is much more refined, but also much more restrained; and for me the unbridled energy of this record just works better. Plus, I saw them live when they toured in support of this album, so that evokes some special memories.
Silverfish
In keeping with the implicit mission statement of this blog: And now to something completely different - Silverfish from the 
13 comments:
Kudos!
Due to my aversion towards the labor of the "vinyl to mp3" process, I've been without easy access to the wonderful sounds of Fat Axl. Now that is resolved!
Thanks!
Glad to be able to help; and I am even more happy to find someone who likes this, too. I realize this is pretty much hit-or-miss for most people.
I read on Blend77's site that you were thinking about doing a Hardstance post. Blend77 posted Face Reality. I believe Hard Stance also has another 7" which is self-titled. Do you happen to have that one, and if you do, could you post it? Thanks so much!!
Yes they do. it was released by Conversion records. I can't seem to find it as well. Anyone out their have this one? It is self-titled. Great tunes..
I have a few more Hard Stance songs from a compilation and/or a 7". But I don't have actual copies of these, so I can't be sure which is which - (could be long lost Beatles tracks for all I know... ^_^). Anyway, I'll upload those later tonight. Cheers.
Thank you - that would be great. I believe it is just a 3 song 7" that I am mentioning. It was put out by Conversion, but I think I mentioned earlier somewhere it was 4 songs, but now that I look at the 7" that I have, it is 3. Anyway, look forward to your post - can't wait.
I figured out where I found the s/t Hard Stance 7" a little while ago.
This is some Russian blog; short on descriptions, but with a lot of old-school HC downloads.
http://community.livejournal.com/spirit_of_youth/
If the links are not working anymore I can upload it myself again, but until then give them some love.
Here is some love for you!! You are incredible. I am telling you - I have been looking around for Hard Stance in MP3 format for some time and have been very unsuccessful, as you can tell! All it took was to reach out to other hardcore fans to accomplish what I couldn't do. I am very pleased!!! Thanks a ton!
Okay luciferyellow - I have to know your trick because it blows my mind that I have had no success with my Hard Stance searches and you find them right away. When you do a search, do you use google? Say when searching for Hard Stance, do you just put their name in the seach engine, or do you use other combinations of words and titles? Do you do an image search or standard search? I thought I knew what I was doing when I did searches, but I guess not the luciferyellow way!! Thanks in adanvce
Jon, I can't tell you all the tricks; some mystery must remain...
But seriously: Google let's you do a "Blog" search, which restricts the search only to blogs. And since most of what you look for is probably posted on MP3 blogs, this is your best chance of finding stuff.
When you are on Google's page look in the header under the "more" drop-down menu.
Ah Ha - I never even thought to use the "more" option on Google. Thank you, at least I learned one trick from you. I will practise and you'll see, the apprentice will be become the master! j/k...Thanks as always for your help. I just downloaded Blackspot, so I am looking forward to checking them out.
you've made my day, just have this on tape. now i can hear it again. beauty !!
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