(the) Vexers - s/t

Name: The Vexers
Album: s/t
Year: 2003
Style: New Wave, Post Punk
Similar Bands: The Daves, Blondie, Bikini Kill, Delta 5, Runaways, Long Blondes, Elastica, Wire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Martha & the Muffins, Sleater-Kinney
"One-Word" Review: Dark, Ragged Energetic Punk
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA
Label: Ace Fu

Cover & Back

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

The Vexers (2003)

1. Something Dirty 2:31
2. Human Machine 1:36
3. Mutual Masturbation 2:21
4. City Life 1:14
5. You Get Nothing 2:51
6. The Saint 3:13
7. Fuck it Up 3:01
8. Get Up Get Out 2:21
9. Rat-Bite Fever 2:08
10. Sick Sick Sick 3:21

Album Rating (1-10): 9.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Mike Musmanno - Recording, Mixing
• Rachel Kotkoskie - Live Photo
• Michael Hammel - Bass
• Jennifer Taylor - Guitar/Vox (Caramel Jack, Marcia Hines, Max Sharam, Jan Hellriegel, Annie Crummer, Australian Youth Orch, Amity Dry, Anthony Callea, Billie Thorpe, Beat Bugs)
• Jesse Van Anglen - Drums
• Tres Warren - Guitar (Compound Eye, Messages, Psychic Ills, Moon Duo, Jeff Burch, Alfredo Thierman)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the band. But I liked the simple angle of the font of the band name on the front and the MS Dos font on the back. Perhaps this is an angular, computer thinking band who used tech and synth in their basic indie rock style. Ace Fu is a Philly label, so I'm surprised i didn't hear of or cross paths seeing this band back in the aughts, as i was going to a lot of shows then.

Album Review: The band borrows from 70-80's new wave/punk with catchy  guitar work and bass lines and straightforward spoke/sung melodic but powerful female vocals. Mutual Masturbation brings in the angular guitar and energetic vocals bringing to mind the great 80's punk bands like Blondie, The Runaways and Sleater-Kinney at times. It is just a very fun record, full of driving energy and danceable spirit. 

The band is 3/4 LA kids who left the lifestyle out west for shocking reality of Philadelphia's forgotten youth. 5-10 years older than the rest of the bands they played with, they started with a confidence their counterparts were trying to build, and still moved slowly, being true to their musical vision and selves. Apparently their live shows were fun (really wish i had seen them around the scene then), and from this record, i can tell they would have been a favorite.

Stand Out Track: Mutual Masturbation

Links:

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Systems Officer - s/t

Name: Systems Officer
Album: s/t
Year: 2004
Style: Indie, Light Math Rock, 
Similar Bands: Hail Social, Shins, Pixies, Janes Addiction (acoustic), The Walkmen
"One-Word" Review: Wispy Meandering Rainy Day Pop
Based Out Of: Encinitas, California
Label: Ace Fu

Cover & Back

Lyrics, CD, CD Back

Systems Officer (2004)

1. Forever This Cyanide 4:03
2. Systems Officer 4:42
3. Signature Red 5:10
4. Desert / Sea 3:57
5. Hael 4:06

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Armistead Burwell (Zach) Smith IV - Written, Performing, Recording, Layout Design (Pinback, White Lion, Three Mile Pilot, Neighborhood Watch, Zach and Robb Show)
• Tom Zinser - Drum Ideas (Neighborhood Watch, Pinback, Physics, Three Mile Pilot, Tit Wrench United, Liz Janes)
• Ryan Bromley - Live Performer (Pinback)
• Jack Reynolds - Live Performer
• Donny Van Zandt - Live Performer, Layout Design (Pinback)
• Sara Bee - CD Art Design (bettetthansnacks.com)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the artist/band, but i picked it up from a thrift store because liked the artwork pattern, which looked to me like a 70's big collar polyester shirt,. but upon closer inspection, resembles stops along a subway map. Just a nice, simple piece of art with a DIY font. I imagine the music will be pretty stripped down, perhaps bedroom folky pop, just from the liner notes dedicating one person performing the songs.

Album Review: While the songs are simple, almost demo-like, they do present fully realized songs, occasionally reminding me of a lighter, happier Hail Social or less power-poppy Shins. Maybe a little Perry Farrell in the tinny vocals, and a lot like the Walkmen overall.

As this is the solo name for the bass player of Pinback & Three Mile Pilot, it has similarities to his bands. But this is a project he can focus on as 100% his, and he played 100% of the instruments on this.

Stand Out Track: Forever This Cyanide

Links:

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