Facing New York - Dogtown (2018-2019)

So I'm passing this along for a couple of reasons.

1. I thought this band had broken up, but maybe not? Their last album that I recall was Get Hot which came out 10 years ago, in 2008.

This new album Dogtown is being released next Friday December 14th, 2018.

2. I used to know a handful of people who loved them on various forums. Among the dredg and Kaddisfly fans, among others. I even recall they toured with Kaddisfly, maybe more than once on the West Coast.

3. While I bought their S/T debut album from 2005, not too long after it came out, as one of many of those cheap, used promos cds at Cheapo. I recall struggling with it, even after reading the glowing comments. I couldn't get into the vocals and low-fi production I found hurt it. I remember thinking on paper I should dig them, but there was something missing. But, I also remember 1 track "Styrofoam Walls" really liking.

Get Hot though I found more boring than the debut, so I kind of wrote them off and after no info about them for many years, I came to assume they were done.

Matthew Fazzi though went on to form Happy Body Slow Brain which I guess now is basically the same band under the name Rare Futures. And I do enjoy music under both their names, although I can't say I love them.

But I guess Matthew Fazzi isn't with FNY now, but they have this new album coming out next week, and there's already 5 tracks available to checkout below and on the other streaming sites.

I imagine there might some folks who find this blog who remember them and would want to check out this album. And honestly, the 1st track below I am kind of digging more than I expected. This might be 1 of those what-the-fuck gems (Small Leaks Sink Ships almost found that category back in 2015, after knowing them many years before and not being too into them. But now, I fucking love them of course).

Facebook from November 2nd

We are releasing our new album "Dogtown" on December 14th.

We are also playing two shows: December 12th at The Hi Hat in Los Angeles and December 14th at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco.

This link allows you to purchase a bundle that includes one ticket to your preferred show, an exclusive shirt and "Dogtown" vinyl.

http://facingnewyork.wun.io

See you in December.

https://facingnewyork.bandcamp.com/



1. Dogtown
2. Big Rev
3. Gods of the Good Shit
4. Hail Mary
5. Birth of Venus
6. Trouble
7. Shame
8. Heaven is High Hell is Low
9. Your Love

Umbrellaman - Volcano Beach [EP] (2018)

This is an entry about a new EP that was released about a month ago from Portland band/project Umbrellaman.

Umbrellaman includes Dan Fury who many know with his involvement with Kaddisfly and Water and Bodies. And more recently Madam Officer among other projects.

Dan I guess mixed this EP and plays bass. Although now looking at the credits again, Chris Ruff from Kaddisfly actually recorded/produced it.

And another Kaddisfly connection being Aaron Tollefson is also a member, playing guitar and contributing vocals.

Musically? Umbrellaman remind me of Foals a bit or even Rare Futures/Happy Body Slow Brain in the sort of wavy atmospheric rock.

4 tracks, which I enjoy more or less all of them to an extent. I'm curious to see what Umbrellaman do next, but certainly it's nice to hear something new from some of the Kaddisfly camp members again.




1. Vicious Lovers 03:28
2. The Falls 03:25
3. Stay Gold 02:54
4. White Orchid 05:00

Umbrellaman on Facebook

This latest episode of Dan Fury's Vinyl-focused YouTube Channel "Vinyl Fury" he speaks in more detail about Umbrellaman and the title of the EP Volcano Beach.

Future Castle - FutureCastle EP (2016-2017)

I recall hearing about this when I finally got to meet Gavin Castleton after The Dear Hunter/Coheed and Cambria concert in May.

4 tracks, all covers. Sade, Hall and Oates, Chicago and Roland Orzabal (of Tears for Fears),

It was released back in August, which I may recall seeing an email or something on twitter, but ultimately missed it.

But these are pretty sweet and fitting for Rare Futures and Gavin Castleton.

Rare Futures - No Ordinary Love (Sade)

The wife whose a pretty big fan of Sade, and I'm not getting much of a thumbs up from her. But I think this is tight. Quite smooth, and this kind of tune fits them well.

In speaking with Gavin Castleton at The Dear Hunter show last month, he mentioned they were releasing a covers EP titled Future Castles? including Sade and some others my wife enjoys.

I'll have to share more of them when they show up.

Rare Futures - This Is Your Brain on Love (2015-2016)

3/24/16 12:35PM
Stream and Article 
From their Facebook:

The album is officially released tomorrow, but it's now up to stream there.

//// After 5 long years of blood, sweat, and groove, our NEW record ‪#‎ThisIsYourBrainOnLove‬ comes out TOMORROW! And as a special treat, the lovely folks over at Diffuser have exclusively shared the whole kit and caboodle for you to stream early TODAY!  

2/17/16 2:10PM

Sweet video for "The Pressure"



1/25/16 9:14PM
Bandcamp Page / PREORDERS

Release Date March 4th, 2016.

The trailer below sounds excellent, and the 1st track "The Pressure" as well. Whether they changed their name from Happy Body Slow Brain, and I guess are now a trio, this could be a less-is-more or change-is-for-the-good, etc.

Also among the guests are Gavin Castleton (Gruvis Malt, Ebu Gogo, Solo) and Steve Choi (RX Bandits).




1. ////ove
2. Reminding Me To Live
3. Ride The Snake
4. Mercury [And Opposite Planets]
5. The Pressure
6. Cool My Mind | Reverie
7. Worst Thing I've Ever Done
8. This Is Your Future [Lost In A Black Hole]
9. Your Past
10. Hope [Feat. Gavin Castleton]
11. You're An Island
12. Standing On The Precipice
13. Not Giving Up Yet