Because cassettes are a thing again: Tape releases from the Subtractions, Elder Devil
Plus, Fashawn teases a new release and your upcoming events list.
File this under: “All things old are new again,” or “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” or whatever cliché thing you say when something from the past spins around to be cool.
In this case it’s cassette tapes, which maybe never really disappeared from the DIY scene but have been on an uptick of late, partially because of delays in getting vinyl done (anticipating how these trends move, some are actually now calling for a move back to CDs).
Anyway, here are two upcoming tape releases to know about:
The Subtractions, “Modern Kids”
As correctly pointed out by The Fresnan, the Subtractions were Fresno’s first gigging hardcore band, though they straddled the line between late ’70s punk and what would become hardcore in the early ’80s.
“Modern Kids” is taken from demos recorded at an auto body shop on Olive avenue in 1980. It was recorded live on a two-track tape machine set up in the shop’s paint room.
Subtraction’s guitarist Rickey Reneau “had the cassette from the original recording in very good condition! He also has a lot of original photos from that early Fresno punk scene, '78-'82,” says Fresno punk historian Dale Stewart, who played in the Subtractions (though not on these recordings) before putting together his own project, Capitol Punishment.
The cassettes are hand numbered from a limited run of 150 tapes. Available now for $12.
The Subtractions studio-recorded “It’s Exposed” Ep was released in 2015 on Hozac Records.
Elder Devil, “Fragments of Hell”
Elder Devil is the brainchild of vocalist Stephen Muir and Jacob Lee, who have released one Ep, an album and a several singles since forming in 2017.
The band does chaotic grindcore noise; blistering fast blast beats behind raging screams and a wall of guitar squeal.
“Fragments of Hell” is the first full release to feature the band’s live lineup, which adds Ryan Uriquez on bass and Pete Ruacho on drums.
Related side note: Uriquez and Muir played together in the duo Cabin Fire.
The album was mostly recorded at the infamous underground venue, the CYC, which you can see in the video for the single “Motherless Son.”
Cassettes are available for preorder now via Plastic Skull Records. The full album is available July 30 for streaming and download.
Fashawn teases new album
In an Instagram post on Friday, Fresno rapper Fashawn gave a hint of what he’s been working on as of late; an album with producer/musician Sir Veterano.
It shouldn’t be that big of a surprise. Fashawn did the verses on “All Hail The King,” a track on Veterano’s 2020 album “The Gathering.” The song is every bit a Fashawn classic in its production and hooks.
“I’m super excited to give you this new album that I created with my brother and noble knight @sirveterano,” Fashawn wrote.
According to the post, the album could be out by the end of summer. It appears to be on Fresh Yard Records, which has Fashawn listed for a summer 2021 release.
Events list July 18-24
The first (to be first annual) High Sierra Summer Fest happens 11 a.m. July 24 at China Peak Landing in Huntington Lake. It’s a car show, craft fair, beer and bands kind of deal with music from Cab Street Band, We Hunt Like Wolves, No Voo Doo Here (Hendrix tribute), the Green Machine and the Play List. The event is free and all ages.
The Amy Winehouse tribute Back To Black plays 8 p.m. Friday, July 23 at Fulton 55. Tickets are $15-$20.
That’s it for this week. If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com