Top 10s for 2006: It's a trap!

Swedish art-damaged rockers Knife and Ape have a new website: http://www.knifeandape.se/
As I've stated before, if you're into stuff like Liars, you need to hear Knife and Ape.

Knife and Ape
Hex
Deleted Art

This is completely and utterly everything and nothing at the same time. Much in the vein of the dance/noise/rock/everything and the kitchen sink of the Liars, PaperRad and other of their ilk, Knife and Ape just are equal part Nintendo music, rock, disco and post-punk. The vocals are much in the post-punk tradition and actually bring a certain cohesiveness to the whole thing, whatever that cohesiveness might be. Despite the fact that I seem lukewarm to the idea, this is highly enjoyable and I like it a lot. I can tell you that I like it a lot more than PaperRad and the Liars, which might not be saying much but certainly would be a vote of confidence in certain circles. It doesn't make any sense but when listening this on a strictly visceral level, it is pretty freaking great.
- Simon Thibaudeau

Podcast: Death disco

MP3: BLLTPRF CPD - Esoteric fraud

Sidestepping from yesterday's post on the damaged no-wave of Knife and Ape, today I bring you the damaged new-wave of BLLTPRF CPD (nee Bulletproof Cupid). When you hear this stuff, the punk-influence claims of other new-wavish acts like The Sounds or Surferosa will seem laughable. They just sound so damn tame in comparison to the furious energy of these dudes. The track I've posted today is much, much more guitar-heavy than a lot of the other, more keyboard driven songs on the record, so my "new-wave" label might seem a bit misleading at first. The band probably does have more in common with the noiserock of old Boner Records bands like Steel Pole Bath Tub or Star Pimp than, say Blondie, but whatever - gotta start somewhere. Besides, don't synths usually equal new-wave? Anyhow, if any of the other Trewetha bands such as I Love You Baby! or The State of Floral Beings piqued your interest, you'll definitely be into this as well. It's in a similar vein, but still with a unique sound of their own. Dig it.
Buy "Halo of flies": [click here]

BLLTPRF CPD - Esoteric fraud

MP3: Knife and Ape - Strawberry tongue

Knife and Ape - noise or art? A little of both if you ask me. The track I've posted today isn't especially challenging, but there's plenty of other songs from the new album "Hex!" that could be considered difficult. Steady, dancefloor-friendly beats matched up with discordant, atonal melodies and shrill vocals. What's not to like, right? Like Liars, 'cept far more proficient with electronics and with better composition skills. Not to disparage Liars, who I like a lot, but Knife and Ape got their shit together in a way that Liars only aspire towards. Safe? No, this pushes serious boundaries. Disturbed? Yes, but in all the right ways.
Buy "Hex!": [click here]

Knife and Ape - Strawberry tongue

Check out the Knife and Ape remix of "Golden retreiver" by C.Aarmé: http://www.myspace.com/knifeandape

Look for new CDs from Élodie, Tar... Feathers and Knife and Ape in the webstore now! Also note that all Hello Saferide CDs and back in-stock and ready to ship.

Video mix: Alarma Man, At the Gates, The Bear Quartet, Kings of Convenience, Montt Mardié, more...

New in the mailorder today: "Great Nothern Recordings compilation no. 1" featuring two tracks each from Tar...Feathers, Chronic Heist, Vic Sinex and Knife and Ape. Check it: [click here]

Alarma Man has a brand new video online for the song "Bird": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7ohrcGZbLc
The track comes from the "Duets" 12" split with Knife and Ape, out now on Cut'n Paste.

Knife and Ape have a nice and simple new website with some details on their upcoming album "Hex!", due out soon via Deleted Art: http://www.knifeandape.se/

Today's mp3 comes to us from manic Swedish instrumental act Alarma Man. Or at least they were instrumental until this release which I believe features guest vocals from singer/songwriter Ed Greene. And what release is this you might ask? Why it's from their split 12" with fellow nutjobs Knife and Ape. Too much insanity for a mere 7", that's the truth. The band describes themselves as "labyrinth-punk" that's as apt descriptor as I've ever heard. I especially like the part in the middle where it sounds like they pushed the guitarists down the stairs - they can barely keep it together, but that's what's so exciting about it. Great stuff.

MP3: Alarma Man - Doctors, listeners and spectators says viva the knife

Today's mp3 comes to us from manic Swedish instrumental act Alarma Man. Or at least they were instrumental until this release which I believe features guest vocals from singer/songwriter Ed Greene. And what release is this you might ask? Why it's from their split 12" with fellow nutjobs Knife and Ape. Too much insanity for a mere 7", that's the truth. The band describes themselves as "labyrinth-punk" that's as apt descriptor as I've ever heard. I especially like the part in the middle where it sounds like they pushed the guitarists down the stairs - they can barely keep it together, but that's what's so exciting about it. Great stuff.

Alarma Man - Doctors, listeners and spectators says viva the knife

Updated Alarma Man tourdates:

05/05 - Rote Flora, Hamburg (GER) w/The Sound OE
05/06 - Blue Shell, Köln (GER) w/A Day in Black and White
05/07 - OCCII, Amsterdam (NL) w/Soda P
05/08 - de Kar, Groningen (NL) w/Soda P
05/09 - Onderbroek, Nijmegen (NL)
05/10 - ACU, Utrecht (NL) w/Soda P
05/11 - JUZ, Mannheim (GER)
05/12 - Az Conni, Dresden (GER) w/Torchous
05/14 - Magnet Club, Berlin (GER) w/Björn Kleinhenz, Torchous
05/15 - Immerhin, Würzburg (GER) w/Condre Scr
05/16 - Clubkeller, Frankfurt (GER)
05/19 - Releaseparty for 12" Knife and Ape split, Göteborg (SWE)
07/08 - Forma Nova Festival, Fredricia (DK)