NEWS – NOVEMBER 2009

Hygiene 7″s are here. I’m just waiting for a final alteration on artwork and the sleeves will be printed immediately. It should be available to order within a week.

I’ve also jumped on the bandwagon and put together a Twitter page for the label. I’m sure a few people reading this are probably rolling their eyes right now (I certainly was a few months back!), but it’s a good way to keep people updated about new stock coming into the distro and any news without bombarding people’s inbox’s with spam every two days. If you’re interested in finding out about what records are coming through before most people see, here’s the link:http://twitter.com/staticshockrecs

It’s also looking likely that I’ll be doing a single for Boston, USA’s Foreign Objects. Limits played with this band a handful of times on our American tour and they were definitely one of the best bands we saw. They have members of Ampere, Libyans and The Conversions, but don’t really sound like any of those bands. I’ve seen them described as: “The music is simple, catchy and to the point punk in the Dangerhouse tradition, but the vocals are what really sell this… incredibly unique and powerful, like Kathleen Hannah if she were really into Chavo-era Black Flag.” and I think that’s pretty accurate. I’ll have copies of their debut 7″ on Shock To The System / Loud Punk in the store shortly, and I definitely recommend you pick that one up.

Following that, there will be a new 7″ EP from Toronto’s Urban Blight, who put out one of the best records of 2009 with ‘More Reality’. Fast and to the point blown out hardcore that comes across as urgent as a lost Negative FX recording. The good news is that they will also be coming over here next summer, and this record will be out to coincide with that.

I have a couple more things in the pipeline, which will be announced as they come closer to actually happening!

Finally, for what it’s worth, I been spinning the following records a hell of a lot lately and recommend tracking them down if you get a chance:

• White Wires – Pretty Girl (Trouble In Mind): The most catchy powerpop band I’ve heard in ages. Both this and the full length lp (that’s just been re-issued on Douchemaster) are pretty much perfect records.
• OK? – Everything Is Going To Be OK? (Life’s A Rape): Top notch upbeat peace punk from California. I’ve heard this band have another 7″ out, if so, I need it!
• Magic Kids – Hey Boy (Goner): The kids on the front of this look worringly young, which makes me jealous. If you like the idea of Beach Boys and Phil Spector worship, and overly innocent / saccharine songs, you’ll love this. It took me a while to come round to at first, but I can’t stop playing it now.
• Social Circkle – On The Run (Way): I have to admit, the lp hasn’t clicked with me yet, but this is great. The B-Side is a Showcase Showdown cover, and I usually play it at least 4 times in a row.
• Manhattan Love Suicides – Clusterfuck (Squirrel): The whole fuzzed out / lo-fi / East London / Dalston via Brooklyn sound that’s all the rage now is definitely getting way too played out, and because of this I almost overlooked this gem. They’ve actually remembered to put a great song under the layers of feedback that sticks in your head for days at a time. This band have broken up now, but this single is still available for the time being, seek it out.